THE SUITABILITY OF AMARANTH GENOTYPES FOR GRAIN AND FODDER USE IN CENTRAL-EUROPE

A set of 15 amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) genotypes from different specie s and regions of the world was evaluated in field experiments with ref erence to their suitability as grain or fodder crops. The genotypes' p henology, morphology and dry matter production at beginning of floweri ng and at grain maturity were examined under three different environme nts, twice in South Germany (1994 and 1995) and once in Poland (1994). On average, they needed four months from sowing to grain maturity. Th eir yields ranged from 1 to 270 g m(-2) of grain dry matter and from 2 90 to 1440 g m(-2) of total above ground dry matter. Within the tested set of genotypes, the origin rather than the botanical species was de cisive for their suitability for grain or fodder use in Central Europe . There were large interaction effects between genotypes and environme nts. However, preliminary genotype recommendations can cautiously be d rawn from the results.