Amaranth belongs to Amaranthaceae.

Amaranth is panicum miliaceum with a height of 80 ~150 cm; Stems stout, green or red, usually branched when young, hairy or hairless.

Amaranth leaves are oval, rhombic or lanceolate, 4 to 10 cm long and 2 to 7 cm wide, green or often red, purple or yellow, or some green with other colors, with a blunt or pointed top, a convex top, a wedge-shaped base, a whole or wavy edge and no hair; Petiole 2 to 6 cm long, green or red. The flower clusters are axillary in the lower leaves, or there are terminal flower clusters at the same time, forming drooping spikes.

The flower cluster is spherical, with a diameter of 5 ~ 15mm, and the male and female flowers are mixed; Bracts and bracteoles are ovate-lanceolate, 2.5 to 3 mm long, transparent, with long awns at the top and green or red protruding midrib on the back; Purple-red tepals are rectangular, 3 to 4 mm long, green or yellow-green, with long awns at the top and green or purple convex midrib on the back; Stamens longer or shorter than perianth segments. Utricle ovoid-oblong, 2-2.5 mm long, annular transverse fissure, wrapped by persistent perianth.

Amaranth seeds are nearly round or obovate, with a diameter of about 65438±0mm, black or dark brown, and dull edges. The flowering period is from May to August, and the fruiting period is from July to September.

growing environment

temperature

Amaranth likes warm and heat-resistant, and warm and humid climate conditions are most conducive to the growth and development of amaranth. Seeds began to germinate at 10 ~ 12℃, and the optimum temperature was 22 ~ 24℃. When the temperature exceeds 35℃, germination and emergence are affected. Amaranth is not hardy. If you encounter a low temperature below 0℃, you will freeze to death. When the temperature is lower than 10℃, the plant grows slowly, and the optimum growth temperature is 23-27℃. When the temperature exceeds 35℃, the plant grows poorly, the fiber increases and the quality becomes worse.

humidity

Amaranth does not have strict requirements on air humidity, which requires soil moisture, but it is not waterlogged. The root system of direct-seeded amaranth is deep in the soil layer and has certain drought resistance, but under the condition of sufficient soil moisture, the leaves are tender and the quality is better. Amaranth has poor waterlogging tolerance, and too much soil moisture or groundwater will affect its growth and even death. Many branches and trees growing in the wild are prone to lodging in heavy rain and windy weather.

illuminate

Amaranth is a kind of vegetable with high temperature and short sunshine, which is easy to bolting and blossom under the condition of high temperature and short sunshine, and its edible value is reduced. Bolting and flowering of different varieties also occur early and late. For example, Guangzhou's high-toed leaves bolting earlier, while Nanjing's autumn young bolting and flowering later. Spring planting, suitable temperature, long sunshine, late bolting, tender quality and high yield; Sowing in summer and autumn is easier to bolt and blossom, and the product is thicker and older.

land

Amaranth can be planted in fertile sandy loam or clay loam, regardless of soil. Amaranth is a fertilizer-loving crop, and the vegetable garden with deep soil layer, rich organic matter and fertile soil is usually the most suitable. Barren sandy land, cold slurry low wetland and poorly structured clay land are not suitable for planting amaranth. Amaranth has good adaptability to soil, and can grow in both acidic and alkaline soils, but the optimum pH value is 5.8 to 7.5.

The main value of amaranth

nutritive value

Amaranth is a kind of vegetable with high nutritional value, especially contains more minerals such as iron and calcium, and also contains more carotene and vitamin C. There are folk "June amaranth, when eggs; Amaranth in July, gold does not change ",which shows its high nutritional value. "Eating amaranth often can also reduce weight and strengthen the body, and has the effects of improving human immunity, promoting children's growth and development, losing weight and preventing constipation.