Nutrient Content and Proximate Analysis of Grain Amaranth Accessions Influenced by Accessions and Nitrogen Rates
- June 26, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Agriculture
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705
Idowu-Agida, O.O.1*; Olaniyi, J.O.2, James, I.E.1 and Adebiyi, E.O.1
1Vegetable Improvement Program, National Horticultural Research Institute, Jericho Ibadan, Nigeria
2C.P.S. Department, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
* Corresponding author
Abstract: – Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is a multi-purpose crop and leafy vegetables of high nutritional quality. The mineral content and proximate composition of five accessions of Amarhanthus accessions: 74-43, RRC8, RRC1351, RRC3991, RRC551 were investigated. With the issue of food security and inadequate supply of rich food especially in developing country, Amaranth, although an underutilized crop, can be a good source of protein, carbohydrate and important minerals. Hence, this experiment was carried out to investigate the nutritional content and proximate analysis of amaranth. The experiment was conducted at the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan and Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, both in southwestern Nigeria. Treatments consisted of nitrogen fertilizer applied at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1. Proximate analysis was carried out using standard methods. There was difference in the in interaction of accession and nitrogen rate on nutrient content of grain amaranth compared to the respective control (0 kg N ha-1). At 60 kg ha-1, RRC8 had the highest P, K, Na, Mg and Fe (32.03, 47.14, 83.61, 37.65 and 19.97 g/plant, respectively); at 120 kg ha-1 RRC551 and RRC399 recorded the highest N (5.29 g/plant) and Zn (6.38 g/plant), respectively. Accession and nitrogen rate affected proximate analysis of grain amaranth, with, 74-43, RRC551 and RRC8 having the highest water content (7.54), carbohydrate content (40.58) and Fat content (3.97); RRC3991 and RRC551 had the highest protein content at 7.32 g/plant. Nitrogen rate at 120 kg ha-1 had the highest values for all proximate compositions. The study shows that the nutritional content in amaranth is rich enough to substitute as alternatives for food sources that are expensive to get.
