Nutrients and antinutrient constituents of Amaranthus caudatus L. Cultivated on different soils

Abstract

This study investigated variations in the concentration of nutrients, antinutrients and mineral content of Amaranthus caudatus harvested from different soil types at various stages of maturity. Four out the five soils namely; sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, clayey loam and loam were experimentally formulated from primary particles of silt, clay and sand in line with the United State Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) soil triangle protocol. The unfractionated soil was used as the control. After harvesting at pre-flowering (61 days after planting), flowering (71 days after planting) and post-flowering (91 days after planting) stages, nutrient and antinutrient analyses were carried out following Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and other referenced methods while the Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectrometer was used to determine mineral compositions of the plant samples. The results of the study revealed that particle size and physicochemical properties of the soil influenced the number of minerals deposited in plant tissues. It was further observed that the nutritional properties of the plant change as plant ages. For an optimal yield of vitamins A and E, clayey loam proved to be the best soil particularly when A. caudatus is harvested before flowering but for vitamin C, sandy clayey loam yielded the highest output at the same stage. Similarly, clayey loam and loam soils yielded the highest proximate compositions at flowering and pre-flowering; however, mineral elements (micro and macro) were highest in control and loam soils.

Growth characteristics, chlorophyll content and nutrients uptake in

“…Also, the per cent potassium composition of T. decumbens obtained in this experiment was slightly lower than that of S. oleracea and Amaranthus caudatus respectively reported by Tang et al (2019) and Jimoh et al (2020b). According to White and Karley (2010), potassium is the most abundant inorganic cation in plants that are needed for the activation of many enzymes that facilitate signalling and nutrient sensing.…”

“…According to White and Karley (2010), potassium is the most abundant inorganic cation in plants that are needed for the activation of many enzymes that facilitate signalling and nutrient sensing. In animals, it is a vital macronutrient needed for efficient blood circulation, transmission of nerve impulses, muscular contraction, and ionic balance (Stein 2010;Jimoh et al 2020b).…”

The Impact of Salt Stress on Plant Growth, Mineral Composition, and Antioxidant Activity in Tetragonia decumbens Mill.: An Underutilized Edible Halophyte in South Africa

“…The catastrophic effect of salinity and drought on crop yield call for a creative, sustainable, and sufficient crop production method, given the rising population and increasing demand for plant-based food [19,20]. With this in mind, numerous researchers have pointed out the use of salt-tolerant plant species with possible commercial value as a proposed upfront strategy for saline lands [21,22].…”

Growth Characteristics, Phytochemical Contents, and Antioxidant Capacity of Trachyandra ciliata (L.f) Kunth Grown in Hydroponics under Varying Degrees of Salinity

“…This oxidative stress induced by these environmental factors leads to increased production of secondary metabolites, otherwise known as phytochemicals, to protect the plant from the adverse effect of stress [11]. During oxidative stress, plants release antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, and those antioxidants are very important to humans as they prevent sickness and diseases when consumed in the form of fruits and vegetables [12,13].…”