Stem amaranth (data) is one of Bangladesh's main summer vegetables. It contains ample vitamins A, B, C and D as well as calcium and iron, and its leaves are more nutritious than its stems. Very few vegetables contain so many kinds of vitamins and minerals.

Stem amaranth needs fertile, deep soil. It grows best in well-drained soil that still holds moisture (jo).

In Bangladesh it is grown in the dry season. Because winter is neither severe nor long, it can also be grown in the rabi season, though many other vegetables are available then. The land should be ploughed deep and prepared to a fine tilth, with no large clods.

In Bangladesh stem amaranth is grown mainly for its stems. Most of our varieties are stem-type and produce very few branches. These varieties can be sown in rows 30 cm apart.

After germination the seedlings should be thinned gradually so that in the end two neighbouring plants in a row stand 8–12 cm apart. Varieties with very thick, long stems that flower late should be thinned further.

About 15 g of seed is needed per decimal. Plough the land deep, break up large clods and make the soil crumbly. Draw lines 1.0–1.5 cm deep along the rows with a stick, sow the seed in the lines and level by hand. If broadcasting, mixing the seed with an equal amount of ash or fine sand helps it fall evenly. After sowing, drag a light ladder over the field to cover the seed. If the soil lacks moisture, sprinkle water lightly with a watering can so the seed germinates quickly and evenly.

Keeping the field free of weeds is essential for normal growth. Without irrigation when needed, the stems quickly turn fibrous and quality and yield fall. Breaking the soil crust keeps it loose, helping growth and preventing foot rot.

Thinning should be done several times in stages from seven days after germination. Depending on the variety, keep plants 5–10 cm apart; the seedlings pulled out can be used as leafy greens. As it is a fast-growing crop, urea should be top-dressed at the right time.

Stem-type varieties have no fixed harvest time; the crop can be picked at any point before flowering. Once flowers appear, the stems turn fibrous. If a stem snaps easily when you try to break it in the middle, it is still free of fibre, and that is the right time to harvest.

The varieties developed by Lal Teer Seed Limited have a life span of 40–60 days from sowing. Stem amaranth is a high-yielding vegetable: grown by scientific methods using improved varieties, 100–120 tonnes can be harvested per acre.

Source: Staff Correspondent. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.