GRAIN CROPS

Grain crops produce an edible dry seed, which can be stored for long periods of time.  (Legumes used for their edible dry seed are included in the section on pulses.)  True cereal grains are members of the grass family; other crops used as grains are called pseudo-cereals.  Grains are used chiefly in the production of breads.  The seed of grain crops are normally milled to produce flour, but sometimes are softened by cooking and/or chemical treatment.  Most have a high protein content, accompanied by a good content of B vitamins.  Some have a fair to high oil content and/or vitamin E.  In addition, most have good quantities of carbohydrates, usually as starch.  Varietal differences are important in grains because individual cultivars have particular seasonal and climatic adaptations.  Crops are usually planted during the wet season and mature during dry weather.

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Amaranth | Avena nuda | Maize/Corn | Millet | Quinoa | Sesame | Sorghum | Teff

A pseudo-cereal crop that has been cultivated far back in history with the Aztec civilization in Mexico. This crop is grown mostly for its grain but also for its leaves that are used as a leafy green vegetable. A much more drought tolerant crop, farmers in more arid regions in Kenya plant this rather then maize. Researchers in China have reported that the water requirement for growing grain amaranth is 42-47% that of wheat, 51-62% that of maize and 79% that of cotton. Optimum soil pH: 5.5-7.5.

A. cruentus: Mexican Grain Amaranth-R104, Purple Amaranth: Highly nutritious non-grass grain (pseudo-cereal) Mexican land race from Rodale Institute. pH: 5.5-7. In a 2005 amaranth observation trial at ECHO, this variety had desirable traits.  Image

A . hybridus: Smooth Pigweed/Grain Amaranth: Leaves and young seedlings eaten in salad, soup, stews; grain eaten or ground into flour. A common tall weed that is edible. pH: 6.5-7.5.  Image

A. hypochondriacus: Mercado Grain Amaranth, Prince's Feather: Highly nutritious non-grass grain (pseudo-cereal); low growth habit, easy to harvest mechanically.

    Manna: Good production, 120 days, grains resemble sesame seeds.  Image

    R103: Mexican land race from Rodale Institute. Best grain amaranth in ECHO's 2005 observation trial.   Image

    Burgundy: Ornamental leaves add color to this warm-weather spinach. pH: 6-7

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Likes cools weather with moist, well drained soil. Cease watering when 85% of seed heads are golden. A hulless seed. This is desired because oat hulls have traditionally been very difficult to remove. By having a hulless oat then grain is easier to process. Optimum soil pH: 5.5-7.7.

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High protein pseudo-cereal; seed eaten like rice; grows well at high elevations or in areas with similar climates; tolerates poorly drained soil, cold areas, drought. Grain must be rinsed to remove a soapy protective coat called saponin, which is located on the seed coat. Saponin cases an extremely bitter flavor. Optimum soil pH: 5.5-8.0.

Colorado 407: Developed from Chilean races; day-neutral; smaller, colored seed; from Colorado State University; can grow to a height of nearly 2 m (5 ft).

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Ethiopian cereal crop; ground into flour or eaten as a porridge. Annual tufted grass, grains very small. Early weeding is essential; Grows 3 feet tall, self-pollinated; can grow at elevations up to 2800 m (9100 ft.); tolerant of various soil types; can withstand wet conditions better than any cereal except rice; resists moderate drought once established but most cultivars require three good rains during early growth for a total of 200 to 300 mm of water. Prospects for a successful crop in humid areas are low. Optimum soil pH: 5.5-6.5.

Red: Hardier,faster maturing, and easier to grow than white; takes 4 months to mature.

White/Ivory: Most common cultivar; very small seeds with about 13% protein; high-yielding slow-maturing; grown in cold season; only grown below 2,500 m.

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Grain and fodder crop; grain used to make flour; higher in protein, fat and minerals than rice, corn or sorghum; grown up to 2300 m.  Seeds milled for flour; grows to 3 ft. tall ; seeds smaller than common millet; low protein; long seed storage life; stiff stalks resistant to lodging; low susceptibility to bird damage; cool moist climate. pH: 6-7

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A beneficial grain and forage crop for many animals; erect annual, growing 30-100 cm. tall; can be grown 0 to 3,500 m and at more northern latitudes than most grains; low water requirement, a short season crop maturing in 60-90 days; shallow-rooted and prefers drier, less fertile soil; does not compete well with weeds- initial two weeks of growth is slow.  Seeds eaten boiled, popped, flaked, pearled or ground into flour used in breads & pasta; high in amino acids and carbohydrates; human and animal food; short season; not frost tolerant; low water requirement but must have water until 6" high; wide soil tolerance; shallow roots; low drought tolerance. Optimum pH: 6-6.5.

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A food grain and a forage crop; seeds eaten like rice, ground into flour for breads and cakes, or used in fermented beverages. More heat and drought-resistant than other cereal crops; survives and produces seed on poor quality, sandy soils in hot, low-rainfall regions; matures rapidly after emergence does not tolerate waterlogged soils.

'Candlestick': Seed eaten like rice or flour used in breads, cakes, or to make beer; Short, very leafy, immune to rust & leaf spot; grows in infertile soil; lacks prussic acid & glucoside.

'Tifleaf 2': Hybrid seed; grain not as susceptible to Striga parasiticism; very bird susceptible; residue used for livestock feed, construction, fencing and fuel; harvesting may be irregular. pH: 5-6.5

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Staple in human diet & animal forage; grows in mountains or plains up to 50? N. Latitude and up to an elevation of 1800 meters; a water efficient, (10-12" per crop) short term, (60-70 days), warm weather crop; growth in first two weeks is very slow.

'White Wonder': Native to Near East & China; cooked whole or made into meal; 12-14% protein; used for hay or silage; stalks for forage & fuel; sea level - 200 meters; highly drought-tolerant; tolerant of soil salinity & alkalinity; bird damage common. Grown in clumps or rows. Optimum pH: 6-6.8.

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A drought tolerant plant, but does require moisture for germination and a minimum of 50-65 inches (125-162.5cm) of rain for a good harvest. Sesame seeds contain 50% oil and 25% protein. Seeds used in baking and oil production. Optimum soil pH: 5.5-7.5

Grown for grain, forage, fuel, fiber, syrup and sugar. Cleaned grain can be cooked like rice or ground into flour. Provides an important summer fodder where temperatures are high and rainfall is insufficient for corn. The fiber of some varieties is used for brooms and brushes and the stalks to make paper. Molasses and sugar are made using the stalks. Perfoms best in areas with an annual temperature of 7.8 to 30?C, annual rainfall of 25-125 cm, and pH of 5.5-7.5. It is adapted to a wide range of soils varying from light loams to heavy clays provided they are moderately well-drained and is moderately tolerant of saline soils.

'Bird-resistant': Dwarf variety, white-seeded, which contains tannins, giving the unripened grain a bitter taste. The tannin content decreases as the grain matures. Tannin is low when grain reaches 16-18% moisture content. Can be used as a feed, however tannins in grain make it an less desirable feed crop.  Image

'Giza 114': Solid-stalked sorghum burns at a high temperature so they are used for fuel. Grain heads also desirable for feed. 

'Striga-resistant': Developed at Purdue University, USA. Has desirable grain for feed. Striga is the genus of a particularly noxious parasitic weed that can cause great loss to cereal production. This has been the most detrimental in sub-Sahara Africa where drought and low soil fertility already makes it difficult to grow a good crop.  Image

Broom corn: Its main use is as the traditional source of fiber for brooms and brushes. Stalks can also be used to make paper while the pulp is used to manufacture craft paper, newsprint, and fiberboard coarse annual grass that grows 6 to 15 ft tall; dwarf varieties range from 3 to 7 ft in height It is relatively tolerant of heat, drought and poor culture. The best brush, however, is produced where the summers are warm and the soils are moist and fertile. Annual rainfall of 15 to 32 in. is adequate.   Image

Forage: Used for animal feed.

Sweet: Cane is processed into sorghum molasses.

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Maize is a warm climate crop, thriving in open sunny environments having daytime temperatures of 20-24 C (68-86 F). Rainfall during the growth period should be 500 mm (20 in) or more. It requires large amounts of nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. For human or animal consumption. Optimum soil pH: 5-7.

Tex-Cuban: Open pollinated maize, developed by the University of Florida, that produces a white flint type kernel. A superior silage variety selected for high yield and nutrient content. Robust plant with more leaves of greater length and width. Grows to a height of 13 feet (3 meters). Is tolerant of adverse conditions with insect and disease tolerance and adapted to heat and late season planting.  Image

Quality Protein Maize: Higher in the amino acid lysine than other maize varieties. Must be grown in isolation to maintain high protein content.

Rio Grande Red: 110 days. Also know as Bloody Mary; developed in New Mexico (USA). Dries well making a nice flour. Use for animal feed. Grows to less than 7 feet (2 meters) producing 1-2 ears with white-spotted red kernels. Grows best with manure.

Painted Mountain Corn: 70-90 days. Makes good flour. Plants are very rugged and productive in northern climates tolerating drought and cold. Plants are capable of enduring both cold springs and nights and blazing hot days. Ears are not tolerant of some fungi, so in damp climates they should be picked as soon as they are mature. Grows to 4 feet (1 meter) producing a single 6-10 inch long ear with multi-colored kernels and tassels.

Hawaiian Super sweet: 68-75 days. Developed in Hawaii from tropical stocks. Grows well in tropical conditions. Kernels are very tender. An improved open pollinated variety.

Extra Tender 378A: White, super sweet corn with attractive ears and flag leaves. Ships well. Hybrid. Optimum soil pH: 5-7.