Matter partitioning, nutrient composition and nutritive value of Amaranthus Cruentus as influences by plant age

Growth analysis of Amaranthus cruentus was carried out from the 4 th to the 16 th week after sowing (WAS). Weights of both fresh and dry shoot and root increased with plant age. Fresh weight of tender shoot, comprising the crisp leaf and soft stem portions located within the upper half of the plant height, was highest at 7 th WAS when it constituted 61% of fresh total shoot weight and 50% of plant fresh weight, and lowest by 16th WAS. Phosphorus and protein contents of the shoot declined as from the 7 th -10 th WAS, while shoot crude fibre increased throughout the plant growth period, building up more steeply after the 10th WAS. Stem calcium increased from 0.3%, at 4 WAS to 0.7% by week 13, and in the leaf from 0.25% at 4 WAS to a peak of about 0.35% at 10 WAS. The nutrient profile and tissue hardening pattern in the plant shoot implied that the vegetable would best be harvested around the 7 th WAS when its tender shoot would constitute maximum proportion, about 61%, of the total plant shoot weight, and metabolites, such as P and protein, abound most. Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science Vol. 9 2005: 22-28