Characterization and evaluation of stem amaranth genotypes in summer season

Abstract

Abstract : An investigation on characterization and evaluation of stem amaranth genotypes was carried out at the experimental field, Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh during summer, 2007. Stem pigmentation varied from light and yellow green to green, pale red to deep red and purple to red purple. Leaf pigmentation varied from light yellow, purplish green to green, pale red to deep red and light red to purple. The genotypes SA005, SA011, SA018, SA027, SA033 and SA037 had no branch and the genotype SA039 produced maximum (5.10) number of branches. The thickest stem was observed in SA040 (27.63 mmdia) and the thinnest from SA001 (16.71 mm). The highest stem weight/plant was recorded in SA039 (465.80 g) closely followed by SA040 (431.03 g) and the lowest was found in SA013 (166.98 g). The genotype SA039 produced the highest stem yield (155.11 t/ha) closely followed by SA040 (123.63 t/ha), SA033 (124.25 t/ha), SA023 (123.63 t/ha), SA037 (122.05 t/ha), SA018 (120.50 t/ha), SA019 (119.79 t/ha). The genotypes SA026 (35.3 days), SA033 (37.7 days) were the flower earlier and SA020 (79.0 days) and SA013 (62.0 days) were late. The genotypes SA003, SA005, SA007, SA011, SA015 and SA027 were not flowered during summer season. The highest edible (%) was found in the genotype SA040 (74.20%). The lowest fibre (%) was observed in the genotype SA029 (0.60%) at 44 days after sowing. On the basis of yield and quality traits, the genotypes SA039, SA040, SA033, SA023, and SA037 were found promising for stem production during summer season.