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Seed Characterization of Grain Amaranthus Using Morphological and Physiological Traits

Amaranth is one of the most cultivated native leafy vegetable in Africa high leaves production within a short
period. A factorial experiment was laid out using randomized complete block (RCBD) with the aim of comparing
the seed characteristics of some selected amaranths based on morphological and physiological traits. Four
varieties of grain Amaranth consisting of Num-Amaranth, White Amaranth, Red Amaranth, and Celosia as well
as harvest before and after flowering in three replicates at the Teaching and Research Farm of Osun State
University, Ejigbo Campus. Measurements were taken on growth components (leaf area index, leaf width, the
number of branches per plant, numbers of leaves per plant, plant height (cm), and stem girth (cm). All data were
analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant means separated by the least significant difference
at five percent probability level (LSD0.05). The result showed high viability among the amaranth varieties for
leaf area index, leaf width (m2), the number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, plant height (cm)
and stem girth (cm). Highest values for characters for leafy vegetable were recorded for Num-Amaranth while
lowest was found in Celosia. The number of branches per plant had high significant positive correlation with
plant height. Principal component analysis (PCAs) accounted for 81% of the total variation were used for
clustering the genotypes. Therefore, to ascertain within the same cluster while inter-crossing could be done
between different clusters to achieve maximum yield. In this study, the maximum exploitation of grain amaranth
potentials, Num-Amaranth and Red Amaranth can be included in future breeding programme for high yield of
amaranth.