LEAF AMARANTH
Other Common Names Include:
African Spinach, Calalbo, Callaloo, Chinese Amaranth, Chinese Spinach, Indian Kale and Tampala
Latin Name: Amaranthus spp, including A. cruentus, A. dubius, A. gangeticus, A. hypochondriacus, A. hybridus, A. lividus, A. manogostanus, A. spinosus, A. tricolor and A. viridis
Plant Family: Amaranthaceae
Close Relatives: Pigweed
Uses and Markets: Culinary - leaves are a good source of protein, pro-vitamin A, vitamin C and fibre. Used in Indian, Chinese, Southeast Asian, Mexican, Andean highland, South American, Eastern African, and Caribbean cuisine.
Production Life Cycle in Ontario
Annual
Hardiness Zone
N/A
Special Notes
None
Propagation method
Seeds, transplants from seeds.
Greenhouse Seeding/Propagation Dates
April
Field Seeding Date:
May to June
Field Transplanting Dates
Beginning of May.
In-row spacing
4-15 cm
Between row spacing
10-50 cm
Optimal Soil temperature at planting
15°C
Fertility
No current Ontario fertility recommendations exist. Research and recommendations from outside Ontario do not necessarily apply to Ontario growing conditions. Ontario research on mineral soil showed an optimal nitrogen rate between 90 and 120 kg/ha for each crop in a multi-cropping system. Click here for phosphorus and potassium application guidelines and for more information on specialty crop fertility.
Soil type
Loam, silt-loam.
Soil pH
6.0
Special requirements for growth habit
None. Plants tend to bolt as days become shorter.
Optimal Temperature Range
18-24°C
Temperature sensitivity
Frost sensitive.
Irrigation requirements
Plants: Irrigation beneficial under normal Ontario conditions.
Days to harvest
30-60 days
Specialized equipment
None
Harvest
Harvest Scheduling
Multiple harvests from the same planting. Continuous harvests are possible with successive plantings.
Hand harvest or machine harvest
Hand harvest
Quality parameters/grades
No established grades. Quality is determined by the market.
Additional Harvest Notes
Harvest during cooler parts of the day to reduce moisture loss and cooling costs. Remove field heat as soon as possible after harvest.
Post harvest
Special handling/curing
None
Storage Conditions
Relative humidity (RH): 95-100%
Temperature: 0-2°C
Air Exchange: N/A
Duration: 10-14 days
Specific pests observed on this crop in Ontario (observations based on limited experience with this crop)
Insects and Invertebrates: Striped Flea Beetle, three-spotted flea beetle, aphids
Diseases: Leaf and Stem Blights (Phomopsis amaranthicola, Alternaria spp.), root rots
Other:
Other Potential Pests: The following pests have not been observed on this crop in Ontario. However, they are either significant concerns for closely related plants in Ontario, or are reported on this crop in other production areas. This is not a comprehensive list of all potential pests. Not all of these pests will necessarily survive Ontario’s climate, but could potentially survive in a protected environment (e.g. greenhouse, storage facility).
Insects and Invertebrates: Slugs, aphids, leaf-feeding caterpillars (cabbage looper, fall armyworm, cutworm, corn earworm), leafhoppers, grasshoppers, leaf-feeding beetles (e.g. Conotrachelus seniculus), leafminers, spidermites
Diseases: Damping off (Pythium, Rhizoctonia),white rust (Albugo candida)
*Indicates pests commonly mentioned as causing significant damage or economic loss to this crop in other regions.
Comments
To date the following pests have been the most significant in Ontario: Leaf and stem blight (Phomopsis amaranthicola), striped flea beetle. Weed pressure is a major concern in production of this crop, particularly for young, establishing plants (because amaranth is small-seeded and slow to germinate). Since few to no herbicides are registered on this crop in Ontario, frequent cultivation, hand-hoeing or mulches (where applicable) will be required, especially during crop establishment. Varieties differ in susceptibility to: Phomopsis. This crop is susceptible to many of the same pests as pigweed. This crop is in Crop group 4: Leafy Vegetables (Except Brassica Vegetables) and subgroup 4A: Leafy Greens Subgroup. For more information on Crop Groups, refer to the Pest section. Always refer to product labels, and follow all directions specified on the label, before applying any pest control product. For more information, consult an OMAFRA specialist.
None
- Brownbridge, M., Bilal, A., and E. Elford. 2010. World crops variety trials and demonstration. Vineland Research and Innovation Centre/OMAFRA Simcoe Resource Centre, unpublished.
- Elford, E., Filotas, M., Todd, J., and S. Westerveld. 2009. Non-traditional crops demonstration garden. OMAFRA Simcoe Resource Centre, unpublished.
- McKeown, A.W., Bakker, C. and S. Westerveld. 2011. Demonstrating agronomic efficiency, apparent nutrient recovery and best management practices in sweet potatoes, Asian vegetables and broccoli. Report to the Ontario Soils and Crops Nutrient Management Program.
- Westerveld, S., Elford, E., Filotas, M. and J. Todd. 2010-present. OMAFRA Herb Demonstration Garden. OMAFRA Simcoe Resource Centre, unpublished.
- Palada, M.C. and L.C. Chang. 2003. Suggested Cultural Practices for Vegetable Amaranth.
- Singh, B.P. and W.F. Whitehead. 1996. Management methods for producing vegetable amaranth. p. 511-515. In: J. Janick (ed.), Progress in new crops. ASHS Press, Arlington, VA.
