XVI International Botanical Congess

Enormous genetic diversity was observed in 300 germplasm lines of grain amaranths (Amaranthus spc.) Results have revealed significant variability for various growth and yield contributing traits like days to flower and maturity, plant height, spikes number, length and weight and grain yield. It is evident that owing to high nutritional value, grain amaranths could become an important ingredient of food and have ample scope for utilization in the form of processed food products. Protein and mineral rich leaves and seeds are extremely important from human nutrition view point, and in days to come, grain amaranth would prove its potential as a substitute food for future.