Nutrient content of vegetable amaranth (Amaranths cruentus L.) at different harvesting stages
Abstract
182 words
Data on the nutritional content of conventional vegetables can
be reasonably associated with a specific stage of plant
development, but information about the age of plant development
to define harvest maturity for wild or indigenous leafy vegetables
including amaranths is scanty. A field experiment was conducted
in order to assess the P, K, Ca, Na, Cu and Zn content at
different harvest stages of amaranth. Amaranths were
harvested at 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 weeks after emergence (WAE).
A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in the time these
different mineral nutrients reached highest levels. At 3 WAE
Ca and Zn, at 4 WAE P, at 6 WAE K and at 7 WAE Na and Cu
reached their highest levels. Protein level significantly decreased
from 50.8 to 43.47% during the 8 weeks. Regardless of the
differences in reaching their highest levels which stretched from
3 to 7 WAE, it was observed that when Ca and Zn reached
their highest level at 3 WAE, other minerals despite being low
in their concentration could still meet the Daily Required
Allowance (DRA) for humans.
Subjects
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