Seed Characterization of Grain Amaranthus Using Morphological and Physiological Traits

Abstract

Amaranth is one of the most cultivated native leafy vegetable in Africa high leaves production within a short period. A factorial experiment was laid out using randomized complete block (RCBD) with the aim of comparing the seed characteristics of some selected amaranths based on morphological and physiological traits. Four varieties of grain Amaranth consisting of Num-Amaranth, White Amaranth, Red Amaranth, and Celosia as well as harvest before and after flowering in three replicates at the Teaching and Research Farm of Osun State University, Ejigbo Campus. Measurements were taken on growth components (leaf area index, leaf width, the number of branches per plant, numbers of leaves per plant, plant height (cm), and stem girth (cm). All data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant means separated by the least significant difference at five percent probability level (LSD0.05). The result showed high viability among the amaranth varieties for leaf area index, leaf width (m2), the number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, plant height (cm) and stem girth (cm). Highest values for characters for leafy vegetable were recorded for Num-Amaranth while lowest was found in Celosia. The number of branches per plant had high significant positive correlation with plant height. Principal component analysis (PCAs) accounted for 81% of the total variation were used for clustering the genotypes. Therefore, to ascertain within the same cluster while inter-crossing could be done between different clusters to achieve maximum yield. In this study, the maximum exploitation of grain amaranth potentials, Num-Amaranth and Red Amaranth can be included in future breeding programme for high yield of amaranth.