GRAIN AMARANTHS IN THE HIMALAYAS

Abstract

Periodic attempts have been made to trace the history and origin
of grain amaranth by different research 'Workers but slill very little is
kno'Wn. Some more information on Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.,
A. cruentus L. and A. caudatus L. has been added based on published
'Work and folklore information gathered in India. There are approximately
25 species of Amaranthus available in the Asian region. FOllr
Sanskrit names (Rahadri, Rajagiri, Rajashakini and Tandulya) are
available in the old literature. The fossil rl!cords of pollen have been
documented in several excavations in India from Holocene and late
Pliestocene periods. Enormous genetic diversity and concentrations of
the crop in the Himalayan region unlike peninsular In.fia