Abstract

In the Vizianagaram market, what is known as Rega thotakura' (a kind of amarantlius) is a speciality. It comes down from Rega, a small village adjoining the town. The variety cultivated is known as Pedda thotakura and is grown for its stalk which is allowed to mature. This variety is distinct from Mokka thotakura of which the whole plant is used as a green when comparatively tender. The special merit of Rega thotakura is that while the outer layer of the stem is hard, the inner portion is soft, non-fibrous and sweet when cooked, these qualities not being developed to anything like the same extent in the amaranthus grown elsewhere. Even at Rega, the above qualities are said to develop best on only high lying dark red loams, the plants grown on other soils being said to be inferior. The poorer the soil the better is the quality. Sheep pen- ning combined with the application of penta which consists mostly of ashes is also said to give the best quality.

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