Acta Vet. Brno 2006, 75: 133-138
Chemical Composition of the Above-ground Biomass of Amaranthus cruentus and A. hypochondriacus
Forty samples of dry above-ground biomass of two species and four varieties of Amaranthus cruentus (varieties Olpir, Amar 2 RR-R 150, and A 200 D) and A. hypochondriacus (variety No. 1008) were analyzed to determine their nutritional value during the experimental period covering five growth stages since inflorescence emergence till full ripening of grain from day 80 to day 120 of cultivation. The content of crude protein in the investigated amaranth varieties significantly decreased (from 158.2 ± 1.20 - 185.4 ± 2.33 to 103.8 ± 1.20 - 113.1 ± 0.01 g/kg) as well as did the crude ash content (from 169.9 ± 0.14 - 192.2 ± 0.42 to 129.7 ± 0.14 - 138.4 ± 0.21 g/kg). In contrast, the ether extract content significantly increased (from 12.2 ± 0.14 - 15.9 ± 0.28 to 28.0 ± 0.28 - 36.4 ± 0.14 g/kg) as well as crude fibre (from 144.9 ± 2.12 - 170.0 ± 3.68 to 183.6 ± 7.00 - 276.0 ± 1.20 g/kg), and gross-energy (from 16.6 ± 0.03 - 17.2 ± 0.07 to 18.1 ± 0.14 - 18.4 ± 0.01 MJ/kg) between days 80 and 120 of cultivation. The relatively high content of crude protein in the aboveground biomass in the period between days 80 and 90 of cultivation suggests that the plants could be used as a nutrient substitute for conventional forages.
