Quality evaluation in organic amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.).

Abstract

The study entitled ‘Quality evaluation in organic amaranthus (Amaranthus tricolor L.)’ was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different organic manures on the physical characters, biochemical and nutritional constituents, antinutritional factors and organoleptic qualities of amaranthus. Amaranthus were grown with four different organic manures namely vermicompost, farm yard manure, neem cake and poultry manure. They were compared with amaranthus cultivated by applying recommended NPK which was taken as the control.

Edible leaves of amaranthus (cv. Arun) cultivated under the All India Co-ordinated Research Project (VC) in the Department of Olericulture were collected for the study. The quantity of organic manures used in each treatment was equivalent to 100 per cent recommended nitrogen.

Amaranthus cultivated using poultry manure had increased plant height (130.30 cm) and maximum yield (20.17 t/ha) and was late flowering (125.75 days). The appearance of amaranthus cultivated with NPK, farm yard manure and poultry manure was found to be good with maroon red colour.

The leaves of amaranthus were analysed for various biochemical and nutritional components. Amaranthus cultivated using vermicompost had the highest moisture, beta carotene, carotenoids, and chlorophyll. The protein and starch were found to be maximum in amaranthus grown with poultry manure. Amaranthus cultivated with recommended NPK had the lowest fibre and protein content.

Application of farm yard manure helped to improve the mineral content in amaranthus, in which maximum levels of calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and zinc were observed. Maximum iron content was noticed in amaranthus cultivated using poultry manure where as phosphorus was maximum in amaranthus grown with

recommended NPK. Lowest mineral content was noticed in amaranthus cultivated using vermicompost.

Anthocyanin and vitamin C were also found to be high in amaranthus cultivated using farm yard manure. Lowest content of vitamin C was noticed in amaranthus grown with recommended NPK.

The antinutritional factors in amaranthus were also evaluated. Low levels of nitrates and oxalates are considered as desirable in green leafy vegetables. The lowest percentage of oxalate was noticed in amaranthus cultivated using neem cake where as the nitrate was found to be low in amaranthus grown with recommended NPK and vermicompost.

Amaranthus cultivated using organic manures and recommended NPK was found to be organoleptically acceptable. Comparatively, highest mean scores for different organoleptic qualities were noticed in amaranthus grown with poultry manure.

Among the different treatments amaranthus cultivated using farm yard manure was found to be the most ideal treatment for various quality attributes followed by poultry manure.