Evaluation of the nutritional composition ofthe seeds of some selected African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst Ex. A. Rich (Harms)) accessions

African yam bean (AYB) is an important but neglected and underutilized crop producing edible seeds and tubers. The poor awareness of the nutritional values of AYB constitutes one of the major problems limiting its utilization. This study was, therefore, carried out to determine the nutritional potentials of five accessions of African yam bean (TSs 125, TSs 116, TSs 86, TSs 69 and TSs 60) by analyzing their proximate composition and micronutrients (Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Selenium (Se)). The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The results obtained showed significant (p < 0.05) variations in the proximate composition of the AYB accession. The crude protein was in the range of 21.84-23.41 %, crude fat 3.40-3.86 %, fibre 6.17- 6.76 %, carbohydrate 52.8-54.48 %, dry matter 90.42 - 90.6 %, ash 4.22 - 4.35 %, and moisture 9.4 - 9.58 %.The Se concentration varied from 312 mg/100 g in TSs 116 to 58 mg/100 g in TSs 60 while Fe ranged between 10.40 mg/100g in TSs 60 and 6.07mg/100gin TSs 86. Zinc varied between 8.83 mg/100g in TSs116 and 6.37 mg/100 g in TSs 69.TSs 116 was best accession in terms of crude protein, dry matter, ash, selenium and zinc, while TSs 60 was best in terms of iron. The study revealed AYB seeds as a food crop rich in protein, carbohydrate, fibre, selenium, iron and zinc. The genotypic variability can be exploited in developing African yam bean varieties with better qualities in terms of nutrient density.Keywords: Neglected, underutilized, nutrient-dense, micronutrient and protei

Evaluation of elite and local African yam bean cultivars for yield and yield-related traits

Published online: 12 Aug 2022The variability in African yam bean (AYB) accessions with respect to yield and other agronomic traits were studied for two cropping seasons (2012 and 2013) in field experiments to evaluate the growth, yield and yield components of 36 AYB accessions. The accessions differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in the traits studied. In 2012 Pearson correlation coefficients indicated that seed yield had significant (P ≤ 0.01) and positive relationships with total pod weight per plant (r = 0.80**), number of filled pods (r = 0.90**) and total number of pods per plant (r = 0.73**). Total pod weight per plant recorded significant and positive relationships with total number of pods per plant (r = 0.88**) and number of filled pods (r = 0.90**). In the 2013 cropping season, seed yield had positively significant (P ≤ 0.01) relationships with total pod weight per plant (r = 0.96**), number of pods per plant (r = 0.89**), number of filled pods (0.92**) and shrivelled pods (r = 0.72**). Total pod weight per plant had positively significant (P ≤ 0.01) relationships with number of pods per plant (r = 0.93**), number of filled pods (r = 0.92**) and shrivelled pods (r = 0.78**). Principal component analysis results identified seed yield, total pod weight, number of filled pods, percentage filled pods, number of days to first emergence, number of days to 50% emergence and number of seeds per pod as the most discriminating traits among the accessions. TSs 137, TSs 111, TSs 118, Tseagbaragba, TSs 60 and TSs 93 were the best performing accessions for seed yield. The evident variability in the AYB accessions evaluated should be made use of in developing improved African yam bean varieties

Development traits, leaf mass and determinants of leaf yield in Corchorus olitorius [L.] accessions cultivated in peat moss substrate

In tropical Africa, Corchorus olitorius is cultivated for mucilage in the leaves. The desire for safe, high quality leaves and climate shocks necessitate its cultivation in polyethylene house. Variation for developmental and leaf yield traits and interdependence among traits were studied. Experiments were begun on 9 November to 23 December 2018, and 9 April to 30 May 2019 at the teaching and research farm, Ikole Ekiti, Nigeria. Fourteen accessions were evaluated in completely randomised design in four replications. At culling, twenty plants were randomly picked per entry for measurement of plant and leaf length, node/plant, leaf/plant, plant weight, fresh leaf mass, dry leaf mass, leaf dry matter and leaf area. The accessions and seasons were fixed. Correlation between traits was done using PROC CORR of SAS Institute. The contribution of independent traits to plant weight, leaf/plant and edible leaf weight was analysed using PROC STEP REG of SAS Institute. The genotypic response differed for all traits. The heat stress and humidity in polyethylene house over seasons, physical and chemical properties of peat moss and nutrients impact positively on vegetative growth and leaf dry weight. Low predictability for plant length and leaf width corresponds with significant Genotype x Season Interaction. FUO 4, 3 and 5 hold promise for large leaf size, FUO 10 and 1 for leaf/plant, FUO 14, 3 and 2 for dry leaf mass, and FUO 2 and 11 for leaf dry matter. Phenotypic improvement in plant length will enhance leaf/plant, leaf size and fresh leaf mass