Abstract:
Due to the increasing amount of dry lands in the world, C4 plants which are highly efficient in water use need to be investigated as potential crop species. This study examined the arid-land agricultural potential ofseveral specific C4 species: Amaramhus hypochondriacus, Amaranthus retrOjlexus, and Portulaca oleracea. Germination responses of each species to both temperature and moisture were determined in growth chambers and contrasted with the response of two C3 species, Beta vulgaris var. cida and Chenopodium album. The growth response of each species [Q temperature, water availability, and soil salinity was investigated in a series of greenhouse experiments in Tucson, Arizona. The nutritional qualities of both seeds and vegetative matter (per cent moisture, fat, protein, fiber, ash, and amino acid composition) were detennined for the experimental species.
