Die Bodenkultur - Journal for Land Management, Food and Environment

W. AUFHAMMER J. H. LEE, E. KÜBLER, M KUHN and S. WAGN:

Production and utilisation of the pseudocereals buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and amarant (Amaranthus ssp. L.) as grain crops

Summary

In a two years field experiment the pseudocereals buckwheat, quinoa and amarant were compared to oats. All these species, oats included, produce nutritionally interesting grains. Growth, yields and the suitability of grains for breadmaking were investigated comparably. In consequence of the demand of warm temperature levels and in consequence of small seed sizes there were problems concerning the establishment and the maturity of quinoa stands and especially of amarant stands. The very long flowering period of buckwheat contributed to grain losses before and at harvest. Grain yields of oats were around 4 t/ha, yields of amarant and quinoa moved between 2 and 3 t/ha and grain yields of buckwheat were about 2 t/ha. Wheat doughs containing quota of buckwheat or amarant flour proved suitable for breadmaking. Key-words: Pseudocereals, buckwheat, quinoa, amarant.