Amaranth Productivity and Nutrient Composition in Central Georgia

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) may have potential as a forage for summer grazing in the southeastern United States (US). Six accessions of amaranth were harvested at bud stage in two successive growing seasons to evaluate growth characteristics, yield, and forage quality parameters. The accessions, three genotypes of A. tricolor (Hinchoy VL, RRC-701, RRC-1186) and one each of A. hybridus (RRC-843), A. cruentus (RRC-1034), and A. dubius (RRC-1186) were evaluated in 1994 and 1995 on a Dothan sandy loam (fine loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudult) soil at the Fort Valley State University Research Station, Fort Valley, Georgia. The plots were planted in mid- June in each year as a randomized complete block with four replications. Plants were harvested approximately 40 d after germination. Plant height and total dry matter (DM) yield determinations were made at harvest. Percentage leaf and stem were determined by hand separation of 5 randomly selected plants from each plot. Leaf material for the 1994 growing season was analyzed for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein (CP) content. Protein content ranged from 240-260 g/kg, while NDF and ADF ranged from 523-587 g/kg and 187-293 g/kg, respectively. The accessions ranged in height from 41-74 cm and total DM and leaf DM yield from 0.83-1.30 Mg/ha and 0.52-0.79 Mg/ha, respectively. All the accessions were over 50% leaf. With adequate yields and high leaf protein, amaranth has potential as a summer forage crop for livestock grazing in the southeastern US