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Photo: Dmytro Chuiko Багрянець variety of amaranth
The Ukrainian seed market has welcomed the long-awaited Багрянець amaranth variety. Dmytro Chuiko, Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy (PhD) and lecturer at the Department of Genetics, Breeding, and Seed Production of the State Biotechnological University, shared its advantages and characteristics with SuperAgronom.com.
The specialist noted that the development of the new variety commenced in 2018 at the Department of Genetics, Breeding, and Seed Production of the State Biotechnological University, under the guidance of Professor Tetiana Ivanivna Goptiy. The initial material comprised plants derived from selection from free-pollination populations of the Ultra variety (Amaranthus hybridus), cultivated among the collection samples of the Amaranthus cruentus species.
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The variety is distinguished by its early maturity, with a vegetation period lasting approximately 90 days.
Under extensive cultivation technologies, the plants reach a height of about 90 cm, ensuring sufficient lodging resistance and facilitating harvest. Furthermore, the variety boasts a valuable biochemical composition of its grain. Protein content is around 18.0%, oil content is 8.2%, and starch content is approximately 67%. This composition renders the variety promising for the food industry, as well as for use in the production of functional food products and animal feed.
Based on the results of multi-year field trials, the Багрянець variety has demonstrated consistently high productivity levels. Under extensive cultivation, its average yield was approximately 2.4 t/ha.
“At the same time, it should be noted that the variety’s potential is considerably higher. By optimizing cultivation technology elements, particularly by providing plants with an adequate level of mineral nutrition and favorable moisture conditions, yield indicators can be even greater. For an early-maturing amaranth variety, this level of productivity is quite high and indicates its promise for adoption in production,” emphasizes Dmytro Chuiko.
Melania Nesmacha, SuperAgronom.com
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