Performance of Different Amaranthus Varieties for Growth, Yield and Nutritional Quality under Prayagraj Agro-Climatic Conditions

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the growth, yield and nutritional quality of eight Amaranthus varieties under the agro-climatic conditions of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, during the 2023–24 growing season at the Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, using Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The varieties studied included Vlathankara, Pink Beauty, Arun Red, Milky Amaranthus, Cholai Green, Lalima Red, Kashi Cholai I and Kashi Suhaavani. Among the varieties evaluated, Arun Red consistently outperformed the best in major parameters, recording the maximum plant height (35.00 cm), number of leaves (33.88), stem diameter (6.23 mm) and root length (7.85 cm) at 45 days after sowing (DAS). It was also the earliest maturing variety, reaching harvestable stage in just 27.25 days and registered the highest herbage yield of 5.59 kg per plot. In terms of nutritional quality, Arun Red showed superior values in Total Soluble Solids (4.99 °Brix), Ascorbic acid (72.69 mg/100 g), β-Carotene (11.01 µg/100 g), Fibre (0.83 mg/100 g), Calcium (326.56 mg/100 g), Iron (22.77 mg/100 g), Zinc (0.37 mg/100 g) and Protein content (4.87 g/100 g). The findings indicated that, the Arun Red is the most suitable variety for cultivation in the Prayagraj region, offering not only higher yields but also enhanced nutritional benefits. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the growth, yield and nutritional quality of eight Amaranthus varieties under the agro-climatic conditions of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, during the 2023–24 growing season at the Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, using Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The varieties studied included Vlathankara, Pink Beauty, Arun Red, Milky Amaranthus, Cholai Green, Lalima Red, Kashi Cholai I and Kashi Suhaavani. Among the varieties evaluated, Arun Red consistently outperformed the best in major parameters, recording the maximum plant height (35.00 cm), number of leaves (33.88), stem diameter (6.23 mm) and root length (7.85 cm) at 45 days after sowing (DAS). It was also the earliest maturing variety, reaching harvestable stage in just 27.25 days and registered the highest herbage yield of 5.59 kg per plot. In terms of nutritional quality, Arun Red showed superior values in Total Soluble Solids (4.99 °Brix), Ascorbic acid (72.69 mg/100 g), β-Carotene (11.01 µg/100 g), Fibre (0.83 mg/100 g), Calcium (326.56 mg/100 g), Iron (22.77 mg/100 g), Zinc (0.37 mg/100 g) and Protein content (4.87 g/100 g). The findings indicated that, the Arun Red is the most suitable variety for cultivation in the Prayagraj region, offering not only higher yields but also enhanced nutritional benefits.