Plant height ranges from three to nine feet. Predominantly self-pollinated, plant flowers are purple, red, pink, orange, or green. Grain amaranth varieties are being developed from Amaranthus caudatus , A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus , and hybrids of these. Grain-type seed colors are white, tan, gold, or pink. The plants are indeterminate but tend to have a dominant seedhead with fewer side branches than weedy amaranths.
Many amaranths are sensitive to day length, which is useful in developing varieties.
Yield Performance Grain yields in Nebraska have been variable, primarily because of stand-establishment problems, weed control, and hail. Testing at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney, Nebraska resulted in yields of 0 to 2,000 pounds per acre depending on variety and year. An average yield for the past 3 years is 700-800 pounds per acre. Seed shattering resulted in grain losses estimated as high as 50 percent with some varieties in 1990. Production and Marketing Tips Selection of variety and seed source.