Leaf Amaranth Variety Trial

Love Lies Bleeding Green

The origin of amaranth cultivation is at least 8000 years ago in the Americas, where it was grown mainly for grain. When Spanish conquistadors came to the Americas in the 1500s, they prohibited amaranth production, and to this day it is not a major crop in the region. However, after the 1500s, amaranth was carried around the globe, and production was both as a grain crop and a leaf/vegetable crop. Today, leaf amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) is a popular food crop throughout Asia, Africa, China, and the Caribbean. While leaf amaranth is not common in most regions of the U.S., it is popular at farmers markets in some areas, especially in regions where immigrants are concentrated. The market for leaf amaranth has potential to grow due to its high nutritional value – it is rich in protein, iron, vitamin A and C, and minerals ? and its ability to thrive in hot temperatures.

Green leaf amaranth is traditionally eaten as a cooked vegetable, much like spinach, and may also be eaten fresh, though it can be somewhat bitter. Red leaf amaranth may have potential as a baby leaf salad green as it may be faster growing than beet greens. In Washington, leaf amaranth may have potential as a new crop, especially in urban areas with ethnic populations. However, western Washington has cooler average summer temperatures than regions where leaf amaranth has been demonstrated to grow well. A study in Fort Valley, GA found that ideal soil and air temperatures for amaranth growth are 77^oF (25^oC), and that maximum leaf biomass was produced when the crop grew during the hottest part of the summer.

In order to gather information about how leaf amaranth performs in a region with cooler temperatures, this preliminary study was carried out at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC. On 10 June 2016, 26 leaf amaranth varieties were direct seeded into individual plots. Plots were harvested 3-6 times based on plant growth, on 8, 21 and 29 July, and 9, 24 and 31 August. Plants were first harvested when they were 6-8 inches tall, and were cut about 3 inches above the soil surface. At the first harvest of each variety, the number of plants was counted. The days to first harvest, average yield per harvest and a photo of each variety is presented below. Varieties are characterized as red, green, green/red (variegated), or green and red (on the same plant, some leaves were entirely green and some were entirely red).

Full 2016 Variety Trial Report

Photos of 26 leaf amaranth varieties, and the days to first harvest, average yield (g) per harvest and average weight (g) of 100 plants (for comparison purposes). Varieties are characterized as red, green, green/red (variegated), or green and red (on the same plant, some leaves were entirely green and some were entirely red).

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