Evaluation of yield and yield related traits of exotic grain amaranth (<i>Amaranthus</i> spp.) accessions

Abstract

Amaranth grain yield varies widely in response to environment, weather conditions, species, genotype and production techniques. With appropriate varieties, yields of grain amaranth can be improved. The objective of this study was to assess the extent of yield variability in exotic grain amaranth accessions between locations. Field trials involving 28 accessions as treatments were conducted at two locations namely the Vegetable Research Farm of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Idi-Ishin Ibadan and the Teaching & Research Farm of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. The two locations are in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria, with Ibadan typifying Forest-Savanna transition zone and Ogbomoso Derived Savanna zone. The field trials were undertaken from August to December 2013. The 28 accessions were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design in each location. Data were collected on growth and yield parameters; inflorescence length, inflorescence weight, 1000-grain weight, grain production efficiency, and grain yield. Variability existed among the accessions of grain amaranth. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences in grain yield of the accessions. Accessions 74-43, RRC1351, RRC399, RRC8 and RRC551 (all of which are Amaranthus Caudatus spp.) produced higher grain yields in both locations compared to the rest of the accessions. The top high-yielding accessions included RRC1351 (1.9 t ha⁻¹), RRC399 (1.8 t ha⁻¹), 74-43 (1.7 t ha⁻¹), RRC8 (1.4 t ha⁻¹) and RRC551 (1.3 t ha⁻¹). Yield of grain amaranth was significantly lower in the more humid Ibadan than the less humid Ogbomoso.

Keywords: grain production efficiency, inflorescence length, weight and location