Evaluation of Yield and Quality Performance of Grain Amaranth Varieties in the Southwestern Nigeria

摘要

The production and use of amaranth as leaf vegetable and grain production and consumption, calls for more efforts in selecting varieties with high chemical composition and nutritive values. Four varieties of grain amaranth were evaluated for growth, yield, chemical composition and nutritive values in southern guinea savanna of southwestern Nigeria in 2003 and 2004. The varieties tested were NH84/451, NH84/452, NH84/494 and NH84/493-1. These were assigned randomly into three blocks and fitted into a randomized complete block design. Growth, yield and quality data were collected and subjected to analysis of variance and significant means compared using Duncan Multiple range test. Results revealed that the plant height and number of leaves of grain amaranth varieties increased as the plant aged. There were significant (p< 0.05) differences among the varieties from one sampling occasion to another in the 2 years. The highest growth, shoot and grain yields parameters were recorded from NH84/493-1 closely followed by NH84/451 while NH84/452 gave the lowest values in both cropping season. In the two growing seasons, there were significant (p< 0.05) different between the fresh and dry matter yields of different plant parts among the varieties with the stem recorded the highest values. The chemical compositions and the nutritional values in the leaves, stems and roots varied significantly among grain amaranth varieties with the leaves recorded the highest values. The distribution of protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre and minerals in the plant parts of the grain amaranth were similar irrespective of the varieties. Although, all the four grain amaranth varieties are good sources of quality and mineral elements, the consistent better performance in term of higher yield and nutritive values in both planting seasons of NH84/493-1 variety confirmed its ability to thrive well in the southern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria and its related ecological zones.