Krishnakumari, KSmitha, K SKAU2019-06-142019-06-142006172666http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810108480PGThe investigation on “Morphological and biochemical studies in grain amaranth” was undertaken in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during November 2005-February 2006. The objectives of the study was to catalogue and evaluate grain amaranth accessions for assessing their variability and field performance, to analyse important nutrient factors and to identify superior genotypes for cultivation. Twenty three grain amaranth accessions collected from different parts of India were utilized for the study. The extent of variability, correlation between yield and its component characters, path coefficient analysis and divergence among twenty three accessions were assessed. The twenty three accessions were significantly different for the ten characters studied. The accession GA-25 (grain yield of 128g/plant) was emerged as high yielder followed by GA-31 (120g/plant) and GA-20 (115.6g/plant). Growth habit of all the accessions were erect. Stem pigmentation varied from purple, maroon and light green. The leaf pigmentation of twenty-three accessions came under three classes namely purple, reddish green and green colour. Most of the accessions had purple leaf pigmentation, lanceolate leaf lamina and purple inflorescence colour. Seed colour ranged from black, maroon and cream. Most of the accessions were found resistant to almost all diseases and pests. The accessions were grouped in to five clusters based on Mahalanobis D2 statistic. Among the five clusters, clusters I and II had six accessions each and cluster III and IV had three accessions each. Cluster V had five accessions in it. Out of the five clusters, cluster III had maximum mean values for plant height at flowering, number of branches, leaf width and length, leaf stem ratio, crop duration and grain yield whereas cluster I recorded lowest values for most of the characters studied. The intra cluster distance D was maximum in cluster IV (283.64) and the minimum in cluster III (55.13). The intra cluster distance for other clusters were 109.34 (cluster I), 136.45 (cluster II) and 202.41 (cluster V). Maximum inter cluster distance was found between cluster I and cluster III (3432.44) and minimum between cluster IV and cluster V (223.35) suggesting less genetic divergence among them compared to other clusters. Based on chemical constituents present in both leaves and grains, DMRT classified the different accessions into several groups. The starch content per 100g of leaf ranged from 4.95 to 7.1g and 49.75 to 67.17g in grain with the highest value in accession GA-22. The protein content ranged from 2.85 to 3.81g and 15.15 to 18.65g in 100g of leaf and grain respectively. Highest protein content of 18.65g was obtained in the grains of accession GA-15. Vitamin C content per 100g of leaf ranged from 96.7 to 500.6mg and 3.53 to 8.32mg in grains with the highest value in accession GA-36. The  carotene content ranged from 5995.70 to 10007.85µg and 134.17µg to 158.37µg in 100g of leaf and grain respectively. Highest  carotene content of 158.37µg was obtained in the grains of accession GA-23. Calcium content per 100g of leaf ranged from 199.50 to 460.67mg and 559.40 to 600.75mg in grains with the highest value in the grains of accession GA-26. Iron content per 100g of leaf ranged from 10.42 to 22.13mg and 33.78 to 44.58mg in grains with the highest value in accession GA-33. Fibre content per 100g of leaf ranged from 7.57 to 14g and 1.15 to 4.7g in grains with the highest value in the grains of accession GA-37 The accessions GA-24, GA-15 and GA-30 having high protein content and yield can be selected as the better genotypes which can be considered for recommendation for both homestead and commercial cultivation.ennullThesis