Journal of Global Agriculture and Ecology

Amaranthus is a tropical leafy vegetable gaining recognition as a valuable supplementary food crop due to its high-quality protein and rich micronutrient content. Due to its medicinal value and leafy qualities, it is in high demand as a commercial crop. In addition to being utilized as a vegetable, amaranth leaves have therapeutic properties that tends vegetable growers to prefer this crop due to its easy cultivation, short duration, low pest and disease incidence, positive nutrition response, higher yield, and diverse genotypes suitable for specific agro-climatic conditions. It can be used in any cropping system. In Maharashtra, particularly in the Konkan region, amaranth is a popular leafy vegetable that is grown commercially in the summer and rabi seasons. Studying amaranth cultivation under shade net in the Konkan region is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it addresses the challenge of limited land availability by maximizing production in confined spaces, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity. Secondly, it offers a solution to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme weather conditions, such as excessive rainfall or scorching heat, by providing a controlled environmental condition to plant growth. The reviewed literature consistently indicates that cultivation under shade net, particularly with raised bed systems, enhances germination, growth, yield, and certain quality parameters like ascorbic acid and anthocyanin content in Amaranthus compared to open-field conditions.