Abstract
Two field trials were carried out at the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Content Farm (59o24′S, 95o25′E and 993 m above sea level) in Southern Region of Botswana, to evaluate the effects of genotypes on proximate and mineral composition of safflower leaves. Five safflower genotypes (Kiama composite (local), Sina-PI-537598, Gila-PI-537692, PI-537636 and PI-527710) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. During the rosette stage safflower leaves (both petiole and blade) were harvested, dried, and ground for analysis. The results showed that safflower genotypes significantly varied in the leaf proximate content of crude protein (24-28%), crude fibre (8-14%), moisture content (86-87%) and dry matter content (13-14%) in both winter and summer growing seasons. The genotype ‘Sina’ had the highest crude fibre content compared to other genotypes. The average leaf mineral content significantly (p < 0.05) varied from 2-3 mg g-1 phosphorus, 3-4 mg g-1 calcium, 5-6 mg g-1 sodium, 15-17 mg g-1 magnesium and 15-18 mg g-1 potassium. The Na:K and Ca:P ratios ranged between 0.18 and 3.41. All the safflower genotypes evaluated had sufficient nutritional content to be used as a green leafy vegetable for human consumption and food security.
Highlights
Safflower is an all year round, drought, heat, cold and saline tolerant oil seed crop
The genotypic difference in proximate and mineral nutrition of safflower across seasons indicate that nutritional benefit on consumption of safflower leaves varies depending on the genotype
All genotypes of safflower studied significantly varied and influenced the leaf proximate and mineral nutrition resulting with a high crude fibre and protein content of 18% and 37% from genotypes ‘Sina’ and ‘Kiama’ respectively
Summary
Safflower is an all year round, drought, heat, cold and saline tolerant oil seed crop It is a bushy, greatly branched, herbaceous thistle-like annual with long spiny or non-spiny leaves (Singh & Nimbkar, 2006; Weiss, 2000). 2003), stems are used as cut flowers (Kizil et al, 2008), and leaves are used as vegetables (Sigh et al, 2017) Countries such as India utilise seedlings, thinnings, and bottom leaves of safflower as a leafy vegetable (Suneel-Kumar et al, 2016a, 2016b). Studying nutritional composition of safflower leaves can promote its cultivation and consumption as a leafy vegetable This can improve household diets and human health nutrition, and contribute to farmer income from early stages of production especially in African countries. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of genotypes on proximate and nutritional analysis of safflower leaves during the rosette stage
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