Vegetable Amaranth Research Articles

Variability, heritability and genetic association in vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.)

Forty three vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) genotypes selected from different eco-geographic regions of Bangladesh were evaluated during 3 years (2012-2014) for genetic variability, heritability and genetic association among mineral elements and quality and agronomic traits in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five replications. The analysis showed that vegetable amaranth is a rich source of K, Ca, Mg, proteins and dietary fibre with average values among the 43 genotypes (1.014%, 2.476%, 2.984, 1.258% and 7.81%, respectively). Six genotypes (VA13, VA14, VA16, VA18, VA26, VA27) showed a biological yield >2000 g/m2 and high mineral, protein and dietary fibre contents; eleven genotypes had high amount of minerals, protein and dietary fibre with above average biological yield; nine genotypes had below average biological yield but were rich in minerals, protein and dietary fibre. Biological yield exhibited a strong positive correlation with leaf area, shoot weight, shoot/root weight and stem base diameter. Insignificant genotypic correlation was observed among mineral, quality and agronomic traits, except K vs. Mg, protein vs. dietary fibre and stem base diameter vs. Ca. Some of these genotypes can be used for improvement of vegetable amaranth regarding mineral, protein and dietary fibre content without compromising yield loss.

Effectiveness of Phosphate Rock Application Methods and Frequencies on Soil Available P and Uptake by the Leafy Vegetable Amaranth

Effectiveness of Phosphate Rock Application Methods and Frequencies on Soil Available P and Uptake by the Leafy Vegetable Amaranth

Amaranthus parganensis(Amaranthaceae), a New Species from West Bengal, India

Abstract. A new species of vegetable amaranth, Amaranthus parganensis Saubhik Das (Amaranthaceae), has been described from the lower Gangetic Plain of West Bengal, India. Its morphology and distributional range suggest that it is related to A. tricolor L., both adapted to tropical climate, having a sympatric distribution and similar ecology.

Genotype variability in composition of antioxidant vitamins and minerals in vegetable amaranth

Twenty five vegetable amaranth genotypes were evaluated to investigate the antioxidant vitamins and minerals composition and its genetic variability in a RCBD with three replications at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University in Bangladesh during kharif1 season 2012 and 2013, respectively. Significant Mean Sum of Square revealed a wide range of genotypic variability among traits. Vegetable amaranth was rich in iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium and potassium. Ten strains gave the best (more than 5 kg) foliage yield with rich in antioxidant minerals and vitamins. Selection of these genotypes would be economically useful for antioxidant vitamins, minerals and yield aspects. On the other hand, eight genotypes had high amounts of antioxidant vitamins and minerals with below average foliage yield and could be utilized as donor parents for introgression of genes in vitamins and minerals deficient lines. Considering genetic parameter six traits i e., Fe, Zn, Mn, ascorbic acid, number of leaves plant and foliage yield would be selected for the improvement of vegetable amaranth genotypes under study. However, correlation study revealed that selection based on Fe, Mn, ascorbic acid and number of leaves per plant could lead to increase the foliage yield of vegetable amaranth strains. Insignificant genotypic correlations between foliage yield with most of the antioxidant vitamins and minerals traits indicating that selection for high vitamins and minerals content might be possible without compromising yield loss. Based on mean, genetic parameters and correlation coefficient values, five vegetable amaranth genotypes i. e., AA19, AA10, AA3, AA24 and AA7 might be selected as high vitamin and minerals containing high yielding vegetable amaranth varieties.

Bioactive Components of Leafy Vegetable Edible Amaranth (<i>Amaranthus mangostanus </i>L.) as Affected by Home Cooking Manners

The objective of the current study is to investigate how home cooking, a common way for many societies to prepare vegetables before consumption, affect bioactive components and antioxidant capacities of a commonly consumed leafy vegetable edible amaranth. The amaranth was cooked by simmering, boiling, frying, blanching and steaming. The contents of total phenolics, anthocyanins, L-ascorbic acid, carotenoids, lutein, beta carotene and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of edible amaranth were determined after the cooking by colorimetric assays. Home cooking proved to degrade anthocyanins but increased carotenoids. Steaming increased total phenol content (TPC) about 50% while simmering reduced 31.1% of TPC. Simmering, frying and blanching deduced L-ascorbic acid content by 18.6%, 17.2%, and 14.0%, respectively. Steaming increased L-ascorbic acid by 21.7%. Both lutein and beta-carotene content was reduced by frying but increased by other methods. FRAP values of cooked vegetable were higher than the raw counterpart, which indicated the cooking increased the antioxidant capacities of the edible amaranth.

Evaluation of Different Organic Manure Mixtures in Vegetable Amaranth Cultivation

An investigation was conducted during 2009-2011 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, to develop bio-organic composite manures containing at least 3%N, with N:K ratio of 1:0.5, and to evaluate the effect of these manures on growth and productivity of vegetables. The investigation comprised three separate experiments, namely, formulation and quality evaluation of bio-organic composite manures, mineralization of bio-organic composite manures, and, crop response study. Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) was raised as a test crop for the study. Organic sources used in the preparation of bio-organic composite manures were:coir pith compost, poultry manure, neem cake, ground nut cake, ash, rock dust and microbial consortium. Five composite organic manures, satisfying the selection criteria (3%N, N:K ratio of 1:0.5), were identified for further investigation. Results of the crop response study revealed that among the bio-organic composite manures used, maximum yield was obtained under poultry manure (50g)+ground nut cake(30g)+rock dust(19g)+microbial consortium (1g), and this was on par with (i) coir pith compost(50g)+ground nut cake(35g)+ash(15g), and, (ii) poultry manure (50g)+ground nut cake(30g)+rock dust(20g).

Phenotypic Plasticity of Vegetable Amaranth, Amaranthus tricolor L. under a Natural Climate

The plastic responses of fifteen Amaranthus tricolor L. cultivars to the natural climatic conditions across successive two years were investigated. The interactions between cultivars and climates showed significant effects on all variables examined. SAT-072 cultivar showed the lowest plasticity in both years. Principle component analysis revealed three components (PCs) associated with 67% of the total variation (PC1 = 36%, PC2 = 19%, PC3 = 12%). PC1 includes leaf color attribute a*(red pigment), and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlororphyll b, total chlorophyll), while PC2 accounts for leaf color attribute b* (yellow pigment), betacyanins, betaxanthins and betalains. Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) was an effective method for clear separation or grouping of cultivars that may promote effective management and utilization in crop-breeding programmes. Overall, these findings suggest the necessity of further study to enrich amaranth cultivars with desirable traits.

Hydrolyzed Organic Fish Fertilizer and Poultry Litter Influence Total Phenolics and Antioxidants Content but Not Yield of Amaranth, Celosia, Gboma, and Long Bean

Dietary intake of a variety of vegetables is very important for disease prevention and may help in the treatment of certain maladies. Experiments were conducted to evaluate yield and the content of antioxidants and phenolics of vegetable Amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus), Celosia (Celosia argentea), Gboma (Solanum macrocarpon), and Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata) in response to poultry litter (PL) and a hydrolyzed fish fertilizer [Megabloom (MB)]. The experiments were conducted as a randomized complete block design with a four × three factorial treatment and four replications. The treatments were applied based on soil test recommendations in a single band 15 to 20 cm away from the plants 1 week after transplanting. Plants were harvested sequentially during the season as foliage and fruits became physiologically mature and once over at the end of the season. Species were analyzed for vitamin C content, total phenolics, and β-carotene content as well as antioxidant capacity. Organic amendments did not significantly influence biomass production, whereas species impacted fresh and dry biomass. Amaranth, Celosia, and Long Bean produced greater fresh and dry biomass than did Gboma. Vitamin C content was highest among Amaranth and Celosia plants receiving nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) compared with the other two treatments, whereas that of Gboma was higher among plants receiving MB.

Farmers’ Participatory Identification of Horticultural Traits: Developing Breeding Objectives for Vegetable Amaranth in Tanzania

Inadequate documentation of farmer-preferred market traits in vegetable Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) necessitated this study. Vegetable amaranth is a cheap and reliable source of vitamins and minerals in sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, commercial varieties are limited in number partly because of inadequate research work. A participatory approach was used to identify farmer-preferred and promising accessions for genetic enhancement and distribution. Respondents from Arusha, Meru, and Moshi regions evaluated 84 accessions during 2008–2009. Genotype ranks for farmer-preferred traits were not consistent across years. Farmers’ participatory research indicated that accessions 1008, 1004, 1001, 1003, 1002, 5, and 1018 were best for delayed flowering. Accessions 45, 25, 32, and 35 performed best for leaf size, and accessions 1001, 45, 25, 32, 7, and 35 were tastier than other accessions. Accessions 38, 25, and 45 were preferred for multiple traits. Promising accessions selected by the farmers were recommended for multi-environment testing, genetic enhancement, and promotion in Tanzania.

Selection of Amaranth Genotypes for Resistance to Rhizoctonia solani

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is an important leafy vegetable, but yield can be reduced due to leaf blight incited by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. Vegetable amaranth germplasm was evaluated to identify high-yielding genotypes with resistance to leaf blight. The initial germplasm evaluation trials with 89 accessions indicated that all Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex. Thell. and A. hypochondriacus L. accessions were resistant under field conditions; the A. tricolor L. accessions exhibited various degrees of symptoms. The second experiment with 24 accessions that showed promise with respect to yield and disease resistance confirmed the field resistance of A. dubius and A. hypochondriacus accessions. Disease incidence in A. tricolor ranged between 0.55 and 2.12 on a 4-point scale. Screening under artificial epiphytotic conditions confirmed the resistance of A. dubius accessions, which were categorized as immune or highly resistant. The A. dubius accessions ‘Am 78’, ‘Am 83’, ‘Am 84’, ‘Am 85’, ‘Am 86’, and ‘Am 87’, which were immune, can be recommended for use in areas where leaf blight is present after further adaptive trials in farmers' fields.

Stable germ line transformation of a leafy vegetable crop amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

We have optimized a procedure for genetic transformation of a major leafy vegetable crop, Amaranthus tricolor L., using epicotyl explant co-cultivation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Two disarmed A. tumefaciens strains EHA 105 and LBA 4404, both carrying the binary plasmid p35SGUSINT harboring the neomycin phosphotransferase II gene (nptII) and the β-glucuronidase gene (gus), were evaluated as vector systems. The former displayed a higher transforming efficiency. Several key factors influencing the transformation events were optimized. The highest percentage of transformed shoots (24.24%) was achieved using hand-pricked epicotyl explants, a 10-min infection period, with 100 μM acetosyringone-pretreated Agrobacterium culture corresponding to OD600 ≅ 0.6 and diluted to 109 cells ml−1, followed by 4 d co-cultivation in the regeneration medium. Putative transformed explants capable of forming shoots were selected on medium supplemented with 75 μg ml−1 kanamycin, and transient as well as stable glucuronidase expression was determined by histochemical analysis. From a total of 48 selected shoot lines derived from independent transformation events with epicotyl explants co-cultivated with EHA 105, 32 showed positive PCR amplification for both the nptII and gus genes. Germ line transformation and transgene stability were evident in progeny of primary transformed plants (T0). Among T1 seedlings of 12 selected transgenic plant lines, kanamycin-resistant and kanamycin-sensitive seedlings segregated in a ratio typical of the Mendelian monohybrid pattern (3:1) as verified by the chi-square (χ 2) test. Southern hybridization of genomic DNA from kanamycin-resistant T1 transgenic segregants to an nptII probe substantiated stable integration of the transgene. Neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) activity was detected in leaf protein extracts of selected T1 transgenic plants, thereby confirming stable expression of the nptII gene.

High cadmium pollution risk on vegetable amaranth and a selection for pollution-safe cultivars to lower the risk

A pot experiment was carried out by growing 29 different genotypes (Amaranthus spp.) of vegetable amaranth under low- (0.12 mg·kg−1) and middle- (0.40 mg·kg−1) cadmium (Cd) exposure. The result showed that amaranth was vulnerable to cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil. Variations of Cd concentrations in both roots and edible parts among genotypes were significant (P<0.001) in both treatments. Cd concentrations in edible parts of the tested genotypes grown under low- and middle-Cd levels were significantly correlated (p<0.01), implying that Cdaccumulating property of amaranth is genotype-dependent. Differences in Cd chemical forms between cv. Nanxingdayemashixian (cv. Nan), a selected typical pollution-safe cultivar (Cd-PSC), and cv. Pennongjianyexian (cv. Pen), a selected typical non-Cd-PSC, under different Cd exposure conditions were compared. It was found that the alternation of Cd in FNaCl (Cd form extracted by 1 mol·L−1 NaCl) may be a key factor in regulating Cd accumulation of different amaranth genotypes and that the protein-binding Cd is considered to be associated with Cd translocation. The results indicated that amaranth is capable of enduring high level of Cd pollution when grown as vegetable crop, and accordingly, consuming vegetable amaranth would bring high health risk. Therefore, adopting Cd-PSC strategy would help reducing the risk of Cd pollution in amaranth. In this study, cv. Nan was identified as a Cd-PSC and recommended to be applied production practice.

Effect of Nitrogen Source, Crop Maturity Stage and Storage Conditions on Phenolics and Oxalate Contents in Vegetable Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)

This study was designed to assess the effect of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer and cattle manure on the accumulation of total phenolics, quercetin and oxalates during growth and storage of vegetable amaranth (var. Amaranthus hypochondriacus L). Field trials were set up at the University of Nairobi Field Station-Upper Kabete Campus, Kenya during the long (March –May) rains of 2007 and 2008. Trials were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four fertilization treatments: 20, 40, and 60kg N.ha-1 supplied by DAP (18:46:0), cattle manure (40 kg Nha-1) and an unfertilized control variant. The vegetables were harvested at 6, 7, and 8 weeks after planting and either refrigerated (4+1oC) or stored at ambient temperature (20+3oC) for a period of 4 days. The vegetables were then analyzed for total phenolic, quercetin, total and soluble oxalates content before and after storage. The total phenolic content decreased with increasing N, the extent of decrease depended on the level and source of N. DAP at 20kg Nha-1 had the same effect on the phenolic content as that of cattle manure at 40kg Nha-1. The levels of phenolics and quercetin increased with crop maturity while the converse was true for the oxalate content. During refrigeration, levels of phenolics increased whereas those of oxalates did not change appreciably. There was a decrease in phenolics content during storage at ambient temperatures. The vegetable amaranth accumulates higher levels of total phenolic and quercetin when grown with manure than with DAP for similar levels of N. Total phenolics and quercetin levels increased, while that of oxalates decreased, with maturity of the vegetables. The accumulation of oxalates during the periods considered normal for growth are low enough to maintain their levels within safe limits for human consumption. Storage of the fresh vegetables at 4oC for limited periods improves their quality by increasing total phenolics and quercetin contents that also fulfill beneficial health functions in the human body.

INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC AND MINERAL FERTILIZATION ON GERMINATION, LEAF NITROGEN, NITRATE ACCUMULATION AND YIELD OF VEGETABLE AMARANTH

The influence of manure and diammonium phosphate (DAP) mineral fertilizer on germination, leaf nitrogen content, nitrate accumulation and yield of vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) was investigated. Field trials were set up at the University of Nairobi Field Station at the Upper Kabete Campus during the long rains of March–May in 2007 and 2008. Trials were laid out as complete randomized block design with four fertilization treatments: 20, 40, and 60 kg nitrogen (N) ha−1 supplied by DAP (18:46:0), 40 kg N ha−1 supplied by cattle manure and an unfertilized control variant. The vegetables were harvested at three maturity stages at 6, 7, and 8 weeks after planting. Results indicated that there were significant differences between treatments in germination percentage, leaf nitrogen content, nitrate accumulation and vegetable yield. Plants that received manure had a higher germination percentage than those that received the same amount of N supplied by the chemical fertilizer DAP. The yields generally increased from week 6 to week 8. The highest yield was recorded in plots receiving 40 kg N ha−1 from DAP at eight weeks after planting. Plots that were supplied with manure recorded the lowest yield when compared to the fertilizer treated plots at all rates. Leaf nitrogen content increased with increasing rate of N but only when N was supplied by DAP fertilizer. The leaf nitrogen content decreased with increasing age of the plants. The leaf nitrate content increased with increase in DAP application rate. Results indicate that manure application produced quality vegetables in terms of low nitrate levels, but leaf nitrogen and vegetable yields were low. DAP application effected higher yields, but the vegetables had high though acceptable nitrate levels.

Variation of Polyphenols and Betaines in Aerial Parts of Young, Field-Grown Amaranthus Genotypes

Amaranthus hybridus and Amaranthus mantegazzianus are commonly cultivated and the entire young fresh plants consumed as vegetables in regions of Africa and Asia. A. hybridus and A. mantegazzianus were cultivated at four sites in three climate regions of the world: Santa Rosa, Argentina; Lleida, Spain; and Prague and Olomouc, both in the Czech Republic. The contents of flavonoids (isoquercitrin, rutin, nicotiflorin), hydroxybenzoic acids (protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid), hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid), hydroxycinnamyl amides (N-trans-feruloyltyramine, N-trans-feruloyl-4-O-methyldopamine), and betaines (glycinebetaine, trigonelline) were determined. The variation in phytochemical content due to species and cultivation site was analyzed utilizing the multivariate statistical methods of principal component analysis (PCA) and graphical model (GM). The Argentinean samples differed from the three other locations due to higher contents of most compounds. The samples from Spain and the Czech Republic differed from each other in the content of the negatively correlated metabolites trigonelline and the flavonoids. The two amaranth species were separated primarily by a higher content of trigonelline and the two hydroxycinnamyl amides in A. mantegazzianus. The GM showed that the quantities of the different analytes within each compound group were intercorrelated except in the case of the betaines. The betaines carried no information on each other that was not given through correlations with other compounds. The hydroxycinnamic acids were a key group of compounds in this analysis as they separated the other groups from each other (i.e., carried information on all of the other groups). This study showed the contents of polyphenols and betaines in the aerial parts of vegetable amaranth to be very dependent on growth conditions, but also revealed that some of the compounds (trigonelline and the two hydroxycinnamyl amides) may be useful as features of a taxonomic classification.

Influence of maturity at harvest, N fertiliser and postharvest storage on dry matter, ascorbic acid and &amp;beta;-carotene contents of vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)

Vegetable amaranth is a leafy vegetable traditionally grown in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia where it is the most consumed traditional vegetable. It is considered to have high nutritional quality, containing relatively large amounts of vitamins A and C. We have assessed the influence of the maturity of the vegetable and soil nutrition on the visual and nutritional quality of amaranth. We found that leaf ascorbic acid content is strongly influenced by both maturity and soil nutrition, with leaves of seven week old matured plants having the highest content. β-carotene increased with increasing amount of soil nitrogen and with increasing plant age. The loss of both visual and nutritional quality during storage was influenced more by maturity at harvest and the temperature of storage than the soil nutrition.

Response of grain amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.), to method and rate of cattle kraal manure application at Kadawa and Samaru in Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted between June and October 2010 wet season at two different locations. The first was at the Horticultural Research Garden of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru in the Northern Guinea Savanna agro-ecological zone and the second experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of the Irrigation Research Sub-Station (IRS), Kadawa in the Sudan Savanna agro-ecological zone also of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria to evaluate the response of grain amaranth growth and green edible vegetable yield components to three methods of cattle kraal manure application (broadcasting, side banding and spot placement incorporated) and five rates of cattle kraal manure application (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t ha-1), using the variety ?Pure branch?. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Cattle kraal manure application rates significantly (p &gt; 0.05) increased growth of green edible vegetable yield characters of grain amaranth except stem girth at Samaru. Growth and green edible vegetable yield characters were generally not influenced by methods of cattle kraal manure application except for plant height, number of leaves per plant at 12 WAT at Samaru, and plant fresh weight at 12 WAT at Kadawa and dry weight at 4 and 12 WAT at Samaru and 12 WAT at Kadawa. Application of cattle kraal manure of 10 t ha-1 to Amaranthus cruenthus gave the highest mean values which were comparable to those of 15 and 20 t ha-1 rates for all the characters measured such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry weights. Thus, the finding suggests that 10 t ha-1 should be recommended to farmers growing Amaranthus in the Northern Guinea and Sudan Savanna of Nigerian agro-ecologies.

Does gender affect the quality of soil and vegetable amaranth under Peri-urban of Osun state, Nigeria?

Consumption of vegetables has been established to prevent cancer, hypertension and many other diseases. Cultivation of vegetables around cities is a lucrative venture and amaranth is fact becoming a leading leafy vegetable for commercial production under peri-urban in Nigeria. The system is a source of economic sustainability for many women and men. Fertilizer and water use efficiency for vegetable crops is greatly influenced by properties of the soil and knowledge of farmers. Amaranth plants samples were collected randomly from eight vegetable plots from Ile-Ife and Osogbo of Osun State, Nigeria. Soil samples were also collected directed from where plant samples were taken at 0-15 cm. Soil and plant samples were immediately transported to the Soil Testing Unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Farmers were interviewed on the types of fertilizers applied. Soil particle size distribution, pH, organic matter content and total nitrogen (N) were determined. Calcium, K, Na and P content of amaranth plants were also determined. Per cent sand was 63.10 and 50.00 % for soils from women and men plot, respectively. Per cent silt and clay, pH and organic matter content of soils were not significantly different. However, soil total nitrogen was 0.32% for men and 0.27% for women soils, which gave about 15.63% reduction in the value of total N for women. Amaranth vegetables from men plots contained significantly (p < 0.1) higher calcium content than that of women, whereas, phosphorus, potassium and sodium contents were not different. Potassium helps kidneys retain calcium, while a low K intake leads to increasing losses of Ca in urine. Increased vegetable consumption helps to preserve bones and fight the bone-thinning disease called osteoporosis. It was concluded that men have access to fertile soils than women. Nitrogen content of the soils was at high level. Men have better access to information and more financial resources to purchase mineral fertilizers than women. There is the need for research focusing on efficient nutrient and water use involving full participation of men and women vegetable growers for improved yield and quality of vegetable crops.Keywords: Soil properties, men, women, amaranth quality Gender.

Genetic interrelationship among nutritional and quantitative traits in the vegetable amaranth

The present investigation was conducted to elucidate the interrelationship among various agronomic and quality traits and their direct and indirect effect on foliage yield in 39 distinct cultivars of vegetable amaranth (A. tricolor). Among the agronomic traits, plant height and number of inflorescence exhibited significant positive association with foliage yield, while chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid, fiber and ascorbic acid were positively correlated with foliage yield. Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b exhibited significant positive association with carotenoid, fiber and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid was positively correlated with fiber and carotenoid. Protein was associated with plant height, branches per plant and 500 seed weight. Chlorophyll a, carotenoid and inflorescence length revealed high positive direct effect on foliage yield, while branches plant-1, leaf size, seed yield, chlorophyll b, moisture content and ascorbic acid showed negative path coefficient with foliage yield. Suitable traits have been marked out to enhance foliage yield in vegetable amaranth.

Effects of water-stress on the fungal growth and quality of vegetable amaranth in storage

Amaranthus crucentus are usually short lived annual crops which probably originated in the Andcan region of South America. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of water stress on the microbial growth and quality of vegetable Amaranth. Analysis of variance showed that microbial growth was significant at 17.63% as well as moisture stress at 128.1%. However nitrogen composition and water content was not significant at the 5% probability level. A polyethylene bag recorded the highest microbial growth 38.33% in comparison with a paper bag 14.67%, when those exposed had the lowest microbial growth 7.33%. Amaranthus crucentus packaged with polythene bags recorded the highest microbial growth, followed by those packaged with paper bags while those exposed had the lowest. The microbes observed were mainly Aspergillus species. The result of the investigation showed that on the first day, vegetable Amaranth packaged with paper bag had the highest weight loss of 17.02 g in comparison with the exposed sample of 14.08 g, while those packaged with polyethylene bags had the lowest weight loss of 0.33. Similar trends were observed on the third and sixth days respectively. Investigation showed that the exposed samples recorded the highest nitrogen composition of 0.06% followed by paper bag 0.030%, while polythene had the lowest 0.028%. However, vegetables packaged with polythene bags had the highest water content, followed by paper bag 62.25%, while the exposed recorded the lowest water content of 43.96%.