Comparative Evaluation of Vegetable Amaranthus Genotypes for Growth Traits and Leaf Yield Potential

Abstract

Vegetable amaranth is a rapidly growing leafy vegetable valued for its foliage productivity and nutritional importance. This study evaluated 28 vegetable amaranth genotypes under field conditions during the summer season of 2023 at the Vegetable Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. The experiment was arranged in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Plant height, leaf count per plant, leaf and stem weights, leaf-to-stem ratio, cumulative foliage yield per plant, yield per plot, days to first cutting and foliage yield per hectare were assessed. Analysis of variance showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) among the genotypes for all evaluated traits, indicating substantial phenotypic variability. VRAM-145 recorded the highest cumulative foliage yield per plant (93.44 g), yield per plot (5.89 kg plot⁻¹) and foliage yield per hectare (261.63 q ha⁻¹). Arka Suguna, VRAM-339 and VRAM-045 also showed high foliage productivity, with yields of 251.82, 251.33 and 247.59 q ha⁻¹, respectively. Kashi Suhawani produced the highest leaf weight per plant (26.71 g), whereas Arka Arunima recorded the highest leaf-to-stem ratio (4.65). VRAM-339 was the earliest genotype, reaching the first cutting stage in 23 days. The results identify VRAM-145 as the leading genotype for foliage yield and indicate that Arka Suguna, VRAM-339 and VRAM-045 are also promising for further evaluation. Multi-location and multi-season testing is required before recommendations for wider cultivation are made.