Amaranthus phenology during its introduction in the Middle Urals

For almost three decades in the botanical garden of the Ural Federal University (Middle Ural, Russia) amaranth species A. caudatus L., A. cruentus L., A. hypochondriacus L. were introduced. The beginnings of phenological phases and their duration have been registered. Selyaninov’s hydrothermal coefficients (HTC) for different growing seasons were calculated. HTC characterizes both temperature and moisture conditions. This criterion is widely used in agrometeorological researches in Russia. We have observed that in years of low HTC value (high temperature and arid-moderate humidity), the studied amaranth species were implemented by the ability of rapid development and transition to seeds production. Whilst in years of high HTC (low temperature, excessive humidity) seed productivity was reduced or absent, and it was possible to grow amaranthus for forage, decorative, and aesthetic purposes. It is recommended to store obtained seeds in favorable years in order to replenish the botanical garden collection in years of bad seed harvest.