Assessing Amaranth Adaptability in a Mediterranean Area of South Italy under Different Climatic Scenarios

The aim of the present work was to study the adaptability of amaranth in a typical Mediterranean environment of South Italy under changing climate scenarios. In a first stage, experimental data from a field trial conducted during 2009-2010 on the Volturno River Plain (Italy) with grain amaranth grown under different irrigation strategies, were used to define the thermal requirements and the yield response function to soil water availability of amaranth. The observed soil moisture data were used to calculate the relative soil water deficit (RSWD) index and seed yield data were expressed as relative yield (Yr). Yr and RSWD calculated data were then graphically correlated to obtain the amaranth yield response function to soil water availability. In a second stage the SALTMED model was used to simulate impacts of present, past and future climate scenarios on amaranth growth cycle and yield. Climate-change scenarios (Special Report on Emission Scenarios A1B, A2 and B1) data, used as input in the model, were derived from six global circulation models using a weather generator. The results showed that in a changing climate, temperature affects the relative duration of the growth cycle and could be a critical determinant of grain yield. The use of supplemental irrigations could allow the amaranth to guarantee a high seed yield under Mediterranean conditions.