Evaluation of stem amaranth genotypes for growing in winter season in bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract : An investigation on the performance of nineteen stem amaranth genotypes was conducted at the experimental field, Department of Horticulture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh during November 2007 to March 2008 to select suitable amaranth genotypes for winter season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The highest primary branch per plant was found in the genotype SA015 (6.83). The thickest stem diameter was observed in the genotype SA023 (22.05 mm) and the thinnest from SA015 (15.28 mm). The highest stem weight/plant was found in the genotype SA026 (205.32 g) and the lowest was in SA027 (79.12 g). The lowest . leaf-stem ratio was found in the genotype SA005 (0.32). The genotype SA026 produced the highest stem yield (68.37t/ha) which was at par with SA023. The genotype SA015 was earlier (55.33 days) to flower and the genotype SA005 (104.00 days) was delayed in flowering. The highest edible portion (%) was observed in the genotype SA040 (71.20%) and the lowest was found in the genotype SA026 (51.76). The lowest fibre content (%) was found in the genotype SA040 (0.36%) at 70 days of sowing. The genotypes SA023, SA026, SA028 and SA040 were found promising in respect to amaranth stem production for winter season in Bangladesh.