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. There are a limited number of varieties of amaranth. Rodale Research and The American Amaranth Institute have several lines that have been made available to growers without formal release, but currently only Amont and Plainsman are available through certified seed channels. Amont is an A. cruentus type selected for uniformity of flower and seed color from Montana-3.
Plainsman is a selection from the hybridization of A. hypochondriacus by A. hybridus .
It is generally earlier maturing than the Montana germplasm and was released jointly by the University of Nebraska and the Rodale Research Institute in 1991. Plainsman yields have been more stable and higher on the average than Amont when tested in Nebraska. Both varieties are tall and susceptible to lodging under irrigation or high rainfall. Current breeding efforts emphasize semi dwarf types. It is important to use a seed source with as few black seed as possible to prevent excessive black seed at harvest.