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Leafy vegetables (Aakukura) cultivation

Leafy vegetables (aakukura in Telugu) - amaranth, palak, methi, gongura, Basella, Chenopodium - are short-duration, high-nutrient crops cultivated across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, AP, Telangana and Maharashtra.

Key characteristics

  • Key Species: Amaranthus tricolor, Spinacia oleracea, Trigonella, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Basella alba
  • ICAR Variety: Kashi Suhaavani (VRAM-42) amaranth from ICAR-IIVR Varanasi
  • Growing States: Kerala, TN, AP, Telangana, Maharashtra

Cultivation and adoption

ICAR-IIVR Varanasi has released the amaranth variety Kashi Suhaavani (VRAM-42) for UP; ICAR-IIHR Bengaluru maintains amaranth germplasm. The complex is valued for iron, calcium, vitamin A and essential amino acids (arginine, lysine, threonine), with rotational harvests every 25-40 days.

See also: Red Amaranth, Gongura Roselle.

References

  1. Indigenous and minor leafy vegetables - ICAR Indian Horticulture. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IndHort/article/download/105370/41249/272881
  2. Amaranth - ICAR-IIHR varieties. https://iihr.res.in/varieties-crop-name/amaranth