Amaranth, quinoa, and millet growth and development under different water regimes in the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth dynamics of the cover plants amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), and millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in a Typic Acrustox, under different water regimes in the Brazilian Cerrado. The cultivation was carried out in the winter, with reduced rainfall, which facilitated the application of varying irrigation depths to the different crops. Water regimes denominated lower, lower middle, upper middle, and upper - corresponding to 217, 386, 563, and 647 mm water depths, respectively - were tested by means of an irrigation bar composed of sprinklers with different flow rates. Plant growth was quantified by weekly collections. Amaranth was the most responsive plant to water. Quinoa showed the best performance in the treatment with the upper-middle water level among the other evaluated species. Millet showed thermal sensitivity for cultivation in the winter, making grain production unfeasible; however, it showed exceptional ability to produce biomass even in the treatment with higher water deficit.

摘要：本研究旨在评估巴西塞拉多稀树草原（Brazilian Cerrado）典型强发育湿润老成土（Typic Acrustox）中，3种覆盖作物（cover plants）——苋（Amaranthus cruentus）、藜麦（Chenopodium quinoa）与珍珠粟（Pennisetum glaucum）——在不同水分处理下的生长动态。试验于降雨稀少的冬季开展，便于为各供试作物设置不同灌溉水深。本试验设置低、中低、中高、高共4个水分处理组，对应灌溉水深分别为217、386、563与647 mm，通过搭载不同流量喷头的灌溉杆实施灌溉。通过每周采样对植株生长指标进行定量测定。结果表明，苋对水分供给的响应最为敏感；在所有供试物种中，藜麦在中高水分处理组中表现最优；珍珠粟在冬季栽培时表现出热敏感性，无法实现籽粒生产，但即便在高水分亏缺的处理中，其生物量积累能力仍表现出众。