Deciphering seasonal shifts, genotype × environment interactions effect on antioxidant activity, bioactive compounds and antinutritional factors in a diverse panel of leafy amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) germplasm: genetic and multivariate insights for breeding.
Priyadarsini S, Acharya GC, Tripathy P, Palai SK, Dash M
Crop Improvement
Amaranth greens you can grow in a summer pot or backyard bed vary dramatically in nutritional punch depending on when you grow them — and this research is building the foundation to develop varieties that stay reliably nutritious even as seasons grow more unpredictable.
Amaranth is a leafy green with deep roots in African and Asian food traditions, and it's surprisingly tough in hot or difficult growing conditions. Scientists grew 57 different varieties in both winter and summer to see how the season changes their nutritional content — things like antioxidants (which protect your body from cell damage) and oxalates (which can interfere with nutrient absorption). They found big differences between seasons and between varieties, which helps plant breeders pick the best parents for creating new, improved amaranth lines.
Key Findings
57 amaranth varieties were evaluated across two contrasting seasons (winter 2024-2025 and summer 2025), revealing significant genotype × environment interactions for all measured traits.
Three antioxidant capacity measures (DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP) and antinutrient levels (oxalates and nitrates) all showed clear seasonal trends, meaning when you grow amaranth strongly affects its nutritional profile.
Multivariate and Mahalanobis-D² analysis successfully grouped diverse germplasm into distinct clusters, identifying promising parent lines for hybridization breeding programs.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Researchers tested 57 varieties of leafy amaranth across two growing seasons to measure how genetics and climate interact to affect nutrition, antioxidants, and antinutrients like oxalates. They identified which varieties perform best across conditions, giving breeders a roadmap to develop more nutritious, climate-resilient amaranth crops.
Abstract Preview
Leafy amaranths (Amaranthus spp.) are promising traditional food and nutritional sources in Asia and Africa. They hold excellent value as underutilized, climate-resilient vegetable crops with versa...
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Amaranthus is a genus of plants commonly known as amaranths. Some species are known by variants of the common name "pigweed". Some members are annual and others are perennial. The plant can grow from 1 to 2.5 metres tall with a succulent, hollow stem. Parts of the plant vary from green to reddish...