GENETIC DIVERGENCE IN AMARANTHUS COLLECTED FROM PAKISTAN

In the present study different species (Amaranthus hypochondriacus & A. tricolor) of amaranthus were collected from different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan and compared for their phenotypic and nutritional traits. A UPGMA cluster, grouped the 13 amaranthus genotypes into two major clusters, I and II, differentiating the ornamental amaranthus cultivars from edible. However, comparative view of the cluster showed that the Amaranthus hypochondriacus were closest to the China variety than to the Amaranthus tricolor according to their morphological characters. Optimal level of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and moisture contents were observed in 7033 (192.7 mg/ml), 7051(30.68 %) and 7033 (102.7 µg/ml) and 7034 (16 %) respectively, of Gonar, Northern Area and AJK of Pakistan. Accession numbers were allotted to the amaranthus germplasm and preservation of there seeds in the gene bank at PGRI, Islamabad, for future research activities including evaluation, characterization and crop improvement.