The biology of Canadian weeds. 126. Amaranthus albus L., A. blitoides S. Watson and A. blitum L.
A review of biological information is provided for three species of the genus Amaranthus: A. albus, A. blitoides and A. blitum. The last species has been revised taxonomically and a new subspecies for Canada is presented - A. blitum subsp. emarginatus subsp. nov. Amaranthus albus and A. blitoides are native to the USA and introduced to Canada. Both species are annual ruderal and agrestal weeds. During the past 100 years, the two species have spread across most provinces of Canada, but the greatest frequency and abundance have been recorded in Saskatchewan. Originating from Europe, Asia and North Africa, A. blitum was initially considered a non-persistent species. The present study shows that A. blitum especially, subsp. emarginatus, has continued to spread in Québec. The three species are alternate hosts to many insects, nematodes, viruses, bacteria and fungi that affect cultivated plants. In other areas (USA, Europe and Asia), the three species have developed multiple resistance to triazine and acetolactate-synthase-inhibiting herbicides.
Costea, M.
Tardif, F. J.
Department of Plant Agriculture, Crop Science Building, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
coste_amihai@hotmail.com
ftardif@uoguelph.ca
Canadian Journal of Plant Science
2003 83 4 1039-1066
Agricultural Institute of Canada Ottawa Canada
USA, Asia, Canada, Europe, North Africa, Quebec, Saskatchewan
Amaranthus albus
Amaranthus blitoides
Amaranthus blitum
Amaranthus blitum subsp. emarginatus
herbicide resistance
herbicide resistant weeds
new subspecies
plant morphology
taxonomic revisions
triazine herbicides
weed biology
hostplants
hosts of plant diseases
hosts of plant pests
plant hosts
APEC countries
high income countries
very high Human Development Index countries