Comparative Study Of Yield And Growth Parameters of Three Different Varieties Of Edible Green Leaf (Amaranthus Spp) Cultivated In Umudike, Abia State:- Elekwa, Onyinyechukwu G.

Abstract

 This experiment was carried out between June - August 2017 farming season to evaluate and compare the growth performance of three varieties of Amaranthus spp under Umudikc agmeeological zone of southeast Nigeria. The experimental design was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three treatments, and was replicated six (6) times. The experimental treatments consisted of three varieties of Amaranthus (036, 075 and 3236). The varieties were sourced from Department of seed technology unit, National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike. The seeds were nursed in the nursery and healthy seedlings were transplanted to the experimental site at 4 weeks after sowing when the seedlings were about 15 cm high. Data was collected on plant height, number of leaves. number of branches, and stem girth and leaf area per plant per pot. All parameters collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOYA) using GenStat statistical software (2010). Results obtained indicated that the varieties adapted well to the environment with variety - 3236 having plants with highest number of leaves and branches. and leaf area.