Morpho-chemical characteristics of cultivated genotypes of leafy chenopod (Chenopodium album L.) developed at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

TCultivated genotypes of leafy chenopod evaluated for plant growth; yield potential; dry matter; and concentration of phytochemicals such as total carotenoids, vitamin C, total phenolics and antioxidant ability expressed in the form of CUPRAC activity which is developed at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Plant height at flowering stage, biomass yield potential and dry matter content ranged from 169.8- 214.1 cm, 31.2-43.3 t/ha and 13.4-16.3%, respectively. The content of phytochemicals i.e. total carotenoids (26.7-71.3 mg/100 g FW), vitamin C (108.4-149.7 mg/100 g FW), total phenolics (191.8-292.6 mg GAE/100 g FW) and CUPRAC antioxidant ability (27.4-43.2 ìmol TE/g FW) is higher in green leafed genotypes than purplish-green genotypes to the tune of 99.2%, 15.1%, 23.5%, 31.8%, respectively. In Amaranthaceae family, red/purple colour of plant parts is due to presence of betalain pigments and their presence in purplish-green leafed genotypes of leafy chenopod might be possible reason for lower values of phytochemicals/ antioxidants; and hence, green leafed cultivars should be promoted for commercial utilization.