Abstract
Five amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) accessions from central and southern region of Malawi were characterised at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources using agro-morphological traits. A total of thirteen descriptors, defined by Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), were used to characterise the amaranth accessions under study. Field experiments were carried out for two seasons in August to November, 2018 and January to March, 2019. The experiments were laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD), which was replicated four times. The qualitative (plant growth habit, leaf colour, inflorescence colour, stem colour, inflorescence spininess, seed colour) and quantitative traits (plant height, stem girth, leaf length, leaf width, inflorescence length, days to 80% flowering, grain yield, leaf yield, and days to 80% maturity) evaluated were significant in defining the uniqueness of different amaranth accessions evaluated. Significant differences (P versity of amaranth accessions in Malawi, it could be exploited in future breeding purposes and deserving conservation.
Highlights
Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is a “pseudo-cereal” crop with its flavour and cooking attributes similar to cereals
These results point to high possibility of genetic diversity of amaranth accessions in Malawi, it could be exploited in future breeding purposes and deserving conservation
All the traits studied except the plant growth habit were variable among the accessions
Summary
Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is a “pseudo-cereal” crop with its flavour and cooking attributes similar to cereals. The amaranth genus includes about 50 - 60 species cultivated both as leaf as well as for grains [2]. It is extensively cultivated as a green leaf vegetable in most tropical countries. In Malawi, consumption of amaranth is almost exclusive for the leaf As such it offers health benefits to human beings. Socio-economic surveys in various parts of Africa have revealed that Amaranth provides employment opportunities and generates income for rural population. The market for this vegetable is increasing due to its nutritional benefits [1]. Any smallholder farmer involved in the production of this kind of vegetable will realise significant economic benefits
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