Influence of row spacing on canopy and seed production in grain amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.)
Laen...
Kuupäev
2020
Kättesaadav alates
Autorid
Ajakirja pealkiri
Ajakirja ISSN
Köite pealkiri
Kirjastaja
Abstrakt
A new crop recently introduced in Italy is amaranth. Studies involving agronomic
techniques on this plant are limited. The aim of the present research was to assess the effect of
distance between rows on both seed yield and ground cover in Amaranthus cruentus L. Sowing
treatments included two single row spacing designs (18 and 60 cm) and one double row spacing
design (18 + 60 cm). At the six true leaf stage, in the single row design of 60 and 18 cm row
spacing, ground cover was 16% and 47% respectively. An intermediate coverage of 31% was
evident in the double rows. At the ten true leaf stage, plants cultivated in single rows at 18 cm
covered the ground early, thereby attaining a ground cover of 85%. Regarding yield, a seed
production of 0.92 t ha-1 was obtained from plants in the double row design compared to the
respective single row spacing designs of 18 and 60 cm, where yields were 0.85 and 0.70 t ha-1
respectively. The selection of one mode of sowing over another will largely depend on the type
of equipment available to the farm. Whilst single row spacing distances of 18 cm displayed a net
of advantage against weeds, difficulties were encountered in the case of managing weeds by
mechanical equipment. The use of double rows permitted taking advantage of a slightly better
ground cover than single rows, together with the possibility of mechanical intervention for the
control of weeds, and importantly also provided a higher yield.
Kirjeldus
Märksõnad
grain amaranth, Amaranthus cruentus, row spacing, Central Italy, articles