An Overview on Amaranthus cruentus L.: Alternative Source of Crop, its Economical Uses and Associated Beneficial Microbes

Abstract

Amaranthus cruentus L.is a medicinally important locally available tropical plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. In present scenario, this plant is designated as ‘alternative source of crop’ or ‘Pseudocereal’ having various nutritional properties (Protein, carbohydrate, fatty acid, Vitamins, Minerals). Moreover, this plant has various medicinal properties also i.e. antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, immune stimulation, anthelmintic, hepatoprotective, antimalarial etc. This plant has Worldwide distribution and short growing period of time. It is also regarded as Fodder crop and other industrial uses. The microbes associated with this plant help to protect the host plants from both pathogenic microorganisms and adverse climatic conditions by secreting different types of bioactive secondary metabolites i.e. phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, terpenes, tannins, alkaloids, quinones, anthocyanin, saponin, steroids and promote growth and development of the plant. Some unique features of this plant are also descried here. This review intends to expand the understanding of taxonomic characteristics of this plant, economic uses, associated beneficial microbes and their application for sustainability of this alternative source of crop. The cultivation of A. cruentus possess a good attraction among both the researchers and farmers and cultivation procedure is more easy than other species. Some species of this genus are not cultivated yet, they are under process. Additionally, this species is more adorably cultivated due to the high nutritional value of its seeds.