Genetic variability and heritability of selected traits during different cuttings of vegetable Chenopodium

Abstract

Chenopodium album is a winter weed, which is cosmopolitan in distribution in subtropical and temperate parts of the world. This species consists of accessions with three ploidy levels 2n = 18, 36, 54 [1,2]. The accessions of diploid (2n = 18) and hexaploid (2n = 54) cytotypes are most commonly used for horticultural purposes as vegetable by humans and for livestock feeding. The leaves constitute an important and inexpensive source of proteins (30-47 g/kg), vitamin A (78-129 mg/kg) and vitamin C (1.9-2.3 g/kg) [3]. The amino acid balance in C. album is superior to that of wheat, due to rich content of lysine, methionine and cysteine [4]. Being cheap source of proteins and amino acids, it can compensate for the amino acid deficient food of the poor community.