Genotypic variability in vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L for foliage yield and its contributing traits over successive cuttings and years

Abstract

Twenty nine strains of vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) were grown for two successive seasons to study different selection parameters for foliage yield and its nine contributing morphological and quality traits. The strains AV-38 (5.06 kg/plot) and AV-31 (5.04 kg/plot) recorded highest foliage yield, followed by AV-30 (4.78 kg/plot) and AV-23 (4.70 kg/plot). The protein and carotenoid content averaged 1.24 ± 0.03 mg/100 mg and 0.83 ± 0.02 mg/g respectively. The leaves of A. tricolor also have considerable quantities of ascorbic acid (112.33 ± 5.00 mg/100 g) and fibre (8.39 ± 0.10%). The mean of individual cuttings for plant height, leaf size, stem diameter, foliage yield, protein, ascorbic acid and fibre content increased with successive cuttings till third cutting and thereafter showed a decline. Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) values ranged from 6.80 to 28.25%. However, the fibre content, branches/plant, leaves/plant, plant height and stem diameter showed lowest values of GCV. The values of heritability estimates were high for all the traits in all the cuttings as well as on pooled basis and ranged from 0.89 for branches/plant to 0.98 for foliage yield. Highest expected genetic advance was noticed for ascorbic acid (57.48%), followed by foliage yield (48.30%) and leaf size (29.51%).

Genetic Studies in Amaranthus Germplasm

“…Beside its adaptable nature in various climatic conditions, the amaranth plant also has important nutritional and medicinal properties (Lakshmi and Vimala, 2000). Due to use of amaranth as vegetable and grain crop, it can be a cheap alternative rich source of protein and nutrient for poor people in developing countries (Prakash and Pal 1991;Prakash et al, 1995;Shukla et al, 2006). The protein component of amaranth is quite close to the level recommended by the FAO/WHO for balance diet in human.…”

“…The protein component of amaranth is quite close to the level recommended by the FAO/WHO for balance diet in human. The protein in leaf is up to 14.3g/kg with an average of 12.4g/kg (Shukla et al, 2003(Shukla et al, , 2006Prakash and Pal 1991). A large number of necessary minerals have also been reported in amaranthus.…”

Phenotypic Plasticity of Vegetable Amaranth, Amaranthus tricolor L. under a Natural Climate

“…Studies on A. tricolor showed that chlorophyll content and ascorbic acid are the major contributing traits of PC1 (Shukla et al, 2010). Chlorophyll content may affect foliage yield with the increment of photosynthetic rate by increasing the vegetative growth of amaranth (Shukla et al, 2006). In contrast, PC2 extracted the cultivars under leaf color b * value, betacyanins and betalains content.…”

Nutritional evaluation of Five Species of Grain Amaranth – An Underutilized Crop

“…These dual-purpose plants supply not only nutritious grains but also tasty, leafy vegetables consumed all over the world, as both human food and animal feed. The leaves of amaranth constitute an inexpensive and rich source of protein, carotenoids, vitamin C, dietary fibre, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus (Shukla et al, 2006;Ozbucak et al, 2007). Amaranth protect against several disorders such as defective vision, respiratory infections, recurrent colds, retarded growth, functional sterility, bleeding tendencies, leucorrhoea, and premature ageing (Bakhru, 2007).…”