In work with amaranth, one has to operate with different concepts and terms. They are understandable to experts in the field of cultivation and processing of culture, but the average consumers may “get lost”, confused in such words. Today we will try to figure out whether there is a difference in such terms as “amaranth food grain” and “amaranth seeds”.
This will allow you, our readers, to avoid mistakes when you buy the product you need and purchase exactly what you need.
Terminology
Immediately proceed to a clear terminology and definition. Amaranth seeds
Amaranth seeds – by this phrase means seed. That is, the seeds intended for crops. They differ from ordinary grain in a number of properties and indicators.
Food grain – under this phrase “hides” the products, which are initially grown for further processing. In particular, it is used to produce cereals, grind grain into flour, and also produce amaranth oil from it. In addition, food grains are used for germination for food. From this species of amaranth seeds they prepare fodder for animal husbandry.
The main differences between amaranth seeds and food grains: what are they?
From the terminology described above, one can understand the difference between the two types of products. Although it would seem, what is the difference between the two types of amaranth seeds, except for the purpose?
First of all, the cost should be noted. In addition, different technologies of sowing and cultivation. Therefore, even before sowing, it is necessary to determine the purpose for which amaranth is sown. After all, the cultivation of amaranth seeds is a much more difficult task than getting food grains. You must adhere to a number of requirements and create special conditions. All this is discussed in more detail below.
Features of the cultivation of amaranth seeds or seed
The main requirement for seed culture is high quality and purity. Only in this case is it possible to get truly elite seeds that meet the highest standards.
When sowing, it is important to conduct the most accurate isolation of the seed – that is, use seeds of strictly one variety, exclude weed seeds. Only in this case will it be possible to avoid unacceptable pollination, which provokes mutations of plants and seed materials. 2012-12
By the way, it was the mistakes made when sowing seeds with wild species that caused amaranth to degenerate in European countries – this happened in the first decades after the importation of plants from South American countries. Amaranth stopped sowing, and for many years he was in oblivion.
When growing amaranth seeds, it is necessary to adhere to high environmental friendliness, do not use herbicides. In particular, when removing weeds, use only mechanical methods of dealing with them. Removing weeds should be done before amaranth begins to bloom. This will eliminate breeding with wild herbs and crops.
It is recommended to buy amaranth seeds only in specialized farms.
As you can see from the above, the production of amaranth seed is a rather complicated process. In particular, to get the result you need:
- have clean, sorted seeds;
- have special equipment and equipment;
- have the necessary experience and knowledge.
A high level of qualification should be not only an agronomist, but also all workers employed in the cultivation of seed material. They must be able to distinguish the seeds of different varieties, understand the whole process of growing and strictly adhere to it.
Each stage of the work should be carried out in strict terms, which guarantees the receipt of truly clean seeds.
What documentation should seed farming provide as a guarantee of seed cleanliness
To be sure that you get really high-quality and proven seeds that can provide you with a high rate of amaranth of a certain variety, ask the seed farm for a package of supporting documentation.
- Quality certificates.
- Technological map.
- Description of cultivation technology.
You can get detailed information about where you can purchase amaranth seed on the website of the Association of Amaranth and Amaranth Producers.
Only valid information is presented here. The association works only with responsible manufacturers. Amaranth varieties that are used by members of the association must be entered in a special register, which confirms their agricultural and food purposes.
What indicators are used in the characterization of seeds
- Culture, species, variety.
- Category and generation.
- Harvest year.
- Germination rate.
- Germination energy.
- Humidity level
- Weight 1000 units of seeds.
- A mixture of crops and weeds.
These indicators provide complete information about amaranth seeds, allow you to understand what crop can be expected.
Is it possible to get seed by yourself?
Growing seed on your own is extremely difficult. Sometimes practically unreal. In addition, you need to understand for what purposes you are going to grow it.
If for their own needs, then why not try? If the main goal – the implementation and obtaining a solid profit, even not worth trying to do it. Because the resulting material still can not be represented on the market as a varietal material.
And most importantly, it is necessary to obtain certain documentation issued after passing through a special procedure. Such documentation is necessary in order to present your seeds, namely as a seed.
However, if you nevertheless decided to grow seed independently, roughly speaking – even at home – pay attention to such a moment as protecting the crops from the possible ingress of weed seeds of quinoa or schyritsa. Or protection from pollination amaranth swan or schichitsy. Even if these plants are not in your area, pollen from a nearby area is likely. Or through insects.
Amaranth grain: everything you need to know about it
At the beginning of the article we said that commercial grain is grown directly for processing. Processed products can be used both in cooking and in other industries. For example, amaranth oil is used in cosmetology, pharmacology, etc.
Requirements such as the similarity of the material, the purity of the variety to the commercial grain does not apply. They are in this case absolutely not important. Here it is more important to consider the following indicators – dirt, moisture and purity of impurities. Also determined by this indicator in-situ weight, oil content and% content of squalene.
Since marketable grain is intended for further consumption in food, there is no need to strictly monitor the correct pollination when sown and cultivated it. Because the first generation of seeds in any case will keep the purity of its kind. Of course, if high-quality, proven seed material was used when sowing.
Note! Speaking of marketable grain, it should be noted that it is not so important how it is grown. Much more important is how the grain is collected, cleaned of impurities and stored. This is what will have a direct impact on the main indicators of amaranth grain.
Of course, it should be remembered that working with amaranth grain is rather difficult. Because it is too small – about as poppy seeds. Its seeding, collection is carried out using strictly specialized technical equipment nasinnja1.
Cleaning is still half the battle. After harvesting, it is necessary to ensure the proper cleaning and drying of amaranth grain to obtain the required level of moisture. During drying, in no case can you use too high temperatures – it should not exceed 35-40 degrees Celsius.
Note! The use of more aggressive temperatures will lead to a decrease in the beneficial properties of amaranth. Consuming its grains will not give the effect you need.
Making a conclusion from the above, we can conclude that it is the harvesting of amaranth seeds and its drying that is the most complex and laborious process. This is followed by processing or packaging of amaranth grain. At this point, it is necessary to track the qualitative characteristics of the commercial grain.
How to get high-quality commodity grain amaranth
In order for amaranth grain to be effective, possess the necessary properties and characteristics, it is necessary to strictly follow certain rules of sowing and plant cultivation. In particular, it should be grown only in environmentally friendly conditions – this, incidentally, concerns not only marketable grain, but also sowing seeds.
Due to its high yield, ability to adapt to the peculiarities of the soil, low requirements to the level of humidity, amaranth can grow superbly even without the use of fertilizers.
In addition, given that Amaranth’s homeland is the Central American and South American countries, domestic pests and diseases are almost not terrible for the plant. Even despite the fact that in our country cultivated varieties, specially created for growing in Ukraine.nasinnja2
So the cultivation of plants allows to obtain high yields of environmentally friendly products. And if you still remember the excellent characteristics of amaranth, its benefits for the body, nutritional value and importance in the prevention and treatment of a number of diseases, then we can confidently prepare that the plant is able to push wheat out of the market in the near future. Or at least seriously push it.
How realistic is it to grow amaranth grain
Is quite real! No problems should arise. Even if crops are pollinated by wild varieties of amaranth, in the first year the seeds will retain their qualities. Reproductive properties will decrease only in the second or even the third year. If you use commercial grain obtained on your plot as a seed. But if every year to carry out the purchase of quality seed, you will get high yields of good amaranth grain.
In order to avoid difficulties and problems, it is extremely important to strictly adhere to the cultivation technology:
- do not sow amaranth too thick;
- ensure that no weeds appear on the field;
- clean weeds in the initial stages of growth.
Note! Amaranth is quite high, so in the future we will not be able to use mechanical methods of weed control. However, this is not necessary, since amaranth simply will not allow the weeds to grow again.
If you don’t have a farm, but a small area, that is, there is no specialized equipment, then certain difficulties may arise during the harvest of amaranth.
Collect inflorescences will need to be manually, after which the usual, ancient way to thresh panicles. The greatest difficulties can bring cleaning seeds from litter. You will have to manually harvest the crop, but if you approach the process responsibly, you will be able to get a very good level of cleaning! Semena-amaranta-350×176
How to use amaranth grain
We have already written a lot of articles on this topic, so we will not be particularly dispersed. Just repeat thesis:
- cooking cereals;
- germination;
- getting oil;
- receiving flour;
- receiving meal.
Of all the products listed, you can cook a variety of foods, including:
- porridges;
- salads;
- smoothies;
- baking and more.
Especially valuable is amaranth oil, which contains a unique element of squalene.
The benefit of amaranth flour is the complete absence of gluten. Therefore, amaranth products are ideal for those who suffer from celiac disease and are forced to stick to a gluten-free diet.
Amaranth seed and amaranth grain: two different products
It follows from the above material that seed and marketable grain are completely different products. They even differ in their cultivation, not to mention other intricacies and peculiarities. Amaranth harvesting
Naturally, if there is no other way out, the seed material will easily go for commercial grain, although from an economic point of view it is absolutely not profitable. But commercial grain can not be used as a seed. Because good yields are not expected and all the efforts spent on growing amaranth will be unjustified.
In addition, the seed material is much more expensive product, due to the peculiarities of its cultivation, as well as the passage of a number of procedures necessary to obtain the appropriate certificate. But the requirements for marketable grain amaranth are not so high and strict.
Therefore, conducting the purchase of amaranth, it is extremely important to determine for what purpose you are purchasing it. Only in this case you will be able to rationally use your budget, and get a good harvest on your site, regardless of its area.
Seminar “Cultivation and processing of amaranth”
You can learn more about the characteristics of amaranth seed, various varieties of this plant at the “Growing and processing of amaranth” seminar. It will be held March 15, 2018 on the basis of the Kharkiv National Agrarian University. V.V. Dokuchaeva. The seminar starts at 10:00. Organizers – KNAU them. Dokuchaeva and the Association of Manufacturers of Amaranth and Amaranth Products. Registration of participants begins at 9:00. If you are interested in a seminar, you want to take part in it, contact – tel. 096 3444438 (Duda Alexander) or e-mail: [email protected]
