Effects of Establishment on Growth, Yield, and Silage Qualities of Amaranth in Typhoon-Prone Southern Kyushu, Japan

Zixuan Zhong, Mitsuhiro Niimi, Manabu Tobisa, Sachiko Idota and Yasuyuki Ishii ()
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Zixuan Zhong: Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Agriculture and Engineering, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
Mitsuhiro Niimi: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
Manabu Tobisa: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
Sachiko Idota: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
Yasuyuki Ishii: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: Amaranth ( Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) is a potential forage crop with a high yield and crude protein (CP) content; however, establishment methods need to improve for the crop to be less sensitive to typhoons. Optimal establishment, cultivation, and utilization in amaranth were examined in a variety of seasons and methods of establishment in 2021–2023. Four methods were examined: (1) direct seeding in rows, (2) direct seeding in spots, (3) soil seed balls, and (4) transplant pretreatment methods under a randomized blocked design (n = 3). Sowings every month from April to August were applied only in 2021, while establishments in April, May, and August with both pretreatment methods were applied in 2022 and 2023. The establishment in August successfully escaped damage from typhoons. The direct seeding of either rows or spots showed marginal success in establishment compared to stable establishment in pretreatment methods. In 2022 and 2023, the highest yield and CP content were achieved in soil seed balls plots in April and in both pretreated plots sown in August, respectively. The quality of silage fermentation showed a high pH, ranging from 4.52 to 6.39, due to the high CP content in 7.59–18.36% dry matter (DM). Sowing in April or August established with soil seed balls can avoid typhoon damage to have stable forage yields and can be processed with a favorable quality of amaranth silage in the region.

Keywords: amaranth; forage quality; pretreatment methods; fermentation quality; sowing season (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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