Amaranthus
Botanical Name – Amaranthus sp L.
Family – Amaranthaceae
CO 1- (Mulaikeerai and Thandukeerai)
CO 2 –(Mulaikeerai and Thandukeerai)
CO 3- (Clipping type)
CO 4- (Grain type)
CO 5 -(Mulaikeerai and Thandukeerai)
PLR 1- (Sirukeerai)
Well drained loamy soils with slightly acidic nature and warm climate are suitable
Can be sown throughout the year
2.5 kg/ha and 3.0 kg/ha for PLR 1 Sirukeerai Broadcast the seeds evenly on the bed after mixing with 10 parts of sand. In the case of PLR 1 Sirukeerai, thin the seedlings to a spacing of 10 to 12 cm on 7th or 8th day after sowing.
The field is prepared to a fine tilth and bed size of 2 x 1.5 m are formed. After germination, thin the seedlings to have a spacing of 12 – 15 cm.
Apply FYM 25 t/ha, Azospirillum 2 kg and Phosphobacteria 2 kg/ha, N 75 kg and K 25 kg/ha as basal dose.
The field is prepared to a fine tilth and bed size of 2 x 1.5 m are formed. After germination, thin the seedlings to have a spacing of 12 – 15 cm.
Pests
1) Leaf eating caterpillar-
Collect and destroy affected plant parts with caterpillars
Set up light trap @1/ha to attract and collect and kill the adults
2) Amaranthus weevil- (Hypolixus truncatulus)
Collect and destroy wild amaranthus hosts in the vicinity of cultivated crop
Collect and destroy affected plant parts along with grubs and adults.
3) Leaf webber- (Psara basalis)
Collect and destroy affected plant parts with caterpillars
Set up light trap @ 1/ha to attract and kill the adults
Leaf spot-
Spray carbendazim @ 1 g/l
Spraying of sulphur compounds should be avoided
Leafy types
25 days after sowing for Mulaikeerai (10 t/ha)
40 days after sowing for Thandukeerai (16 t/ha)
Clipping types
10 clippings at weekly intervals (30 t/ha)
Grain types
CO 4 – 2.4 t grains/ha + 8 tonnes of tender greens/ha
Sirukeerai
20-21 days after sowing, slight irrigation may be given before uprooting . Yieldranged from 8 to 9 t/ha as tender greens in 20-21 days and 200 kg /ha for seed crop in 50-55 days.
