Efficient utilization of plant genetic resources for nutrition and crop improvement requires systematic understanding of the important traits. Amaranthus species are distributed worldwide with an interesting diversity of landraces and cultivars whose leaves and seeds are consumed. Despite their potential to enhance food security and economic livelihoods, grain amaranth breeding to improve nutritional quality and adoption by farmers in sub-Saharan Africa is scanty. This study assessed the variation among 29 grain amaranth accessions using 27 phenotypic (10 morphological and 17 nutritional) characters and 16 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. Multivariate analysis of phenotypic characters showed the first four principal components contributing 57.53% of observed variability, while cluster analysis yielded five groups at 87.5% similarity coefficient. RAPD primers generated a total of 193 amplicons with an average of 12.06 amplicons per primer, 81% of which were polymorphic. Genetic similarities based on Jaccard's coefficient ranged from 0.61 to 0.88. The RAPD-based unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean dendrogram grouped the accessions into nine clusters, with the same species clustering together. RAPD primers distinguished the accessions more effectively than phenotypic markers. Accessions in the different clusters as obtained can be exploited for heterotic gain in desired nutritional traits.

The chemical composition of Tetrapleura tetraptera, used traditionally as a spice and in African folk medicine, was determined. The proximate composition (%) based on dry weight was ash (3.17 to 3.48); crude protein (5.13 to 8.65); sugar (3.29 to 39.63); and starch (7.56 to 29.10). The mineral content (mg/kg) based on dry weight was Fe (29.69 to 65.06); Zn (5.35 to 25.16); Cu (4.00 to 12.54); Mg (392.35 to 2951.28); Mn (16.23 to 178.91);, Na (119.48 to 2364.93); Ca (1348.63 to 13839.86); K (8631.09 to 14881.00); and B (1.14 to 6.23). The sugar, starch, Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, Na, Ca; and K contents were different in different sections of the fruit (p < 0 .05). The phytochemicals (mg/100 g) based on dry weight were total polyphenol (38.05 to 2907.15); flavonoid (10.30 to 410.75); saponin (60.80 to 953.40); tannin (135.50 to 1097.50); and phytate (1021.00 to 5170.00). The phytochemical composition in the fruits was generally high and comparable to other commonly used spices, indicating the potential use of 52 Chemical Composition and Health Impacts of Tetrapleura tetraptera 53T. tetraptera as a source of these phytochemicals in traditional medicine.

Variation in the proximate and mineral compositions of twenty nine accessions of grain amaranth (Amaranthus), belonging to five species: Amaranthus caudatus, A. cruentus, A. hybrid, A. hypochondriacus and A. hybridus were evaluated. Results showed that significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed in the proximate and mineral compositions among all the species evaluated. Amaranthus caudatus had the highest levels of crude fibre (4.04 g/100g), sodium (8.95 mg/kg), phosphorus (5765.64 mg/kg), magnesium (2219.15 mg/kg) and aluminum (111.09 mg/kg) contents. Amaranthus cruentus had the highest levels of crude fat (8.68 g/100g), zinc (59.49 mg/kg), copper (6.62 mg/kg), manganese (136.44 mg/kg) and calcium (1642.45 mg/kg). Amaranthus hybridus had the highest levels of protein (17.89 g/100g) and starch (38.01 g/100g). Phosphorus was the most abundant mineral present, followed by potassium and magnesium; while selenium was the least abundant mineral element present. The grain amaranth species have higher protein, crude fibre, starch and essential minerals than commonly consumed cereals and hold promise as a healthy alternative to these cereals and their products.

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Understanding the level and distribution of genetic diversity in African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) would strengthen breeding and conservation programmes towards domestication and sustainable use of this species. Sixteen accessions of P. globosa were assessed for variability based on seed morphology, seed protein and DNA profiling. Significant variation in seed characteristics were observed across locations. Seed protein profiling by SDS-PAGE revealed homogeneity as most bands were found common in all accessions, indicating that the protein profiles are highly conserved. Protein profiling separated the 16 accessions into four major clusters at 0.93 similarity coefficient. Most accessions grouping into Cluster 1 had a similarity coefficient of close to 100% and were from the Derived Savanna suggesting the presence of duplicates. Accessions NH/2016/P14, NH/2016/P03 and NH/2016/P04 grouped into clusters II, III and IV; respectively. Sixteen RAPD markers generated a total of 256 bands of which 63.67% were polymorphic. Gene diversity ranged from 0.41 to 0.93 and Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) from 0.39 to 0.93. The RAPD-based dendrogram separated accessions into six groups at 0.68 similarity coefficient. Based on a polymorphic seed storage protein marker a genetically distinct accession NH/2016/P04 could be exploited for breeding purposes. The homogeneity of alleles and narrow genetic base as revealed by RAPD and SDS-PAGE analyses suggests possible loss of intraspecific genetic diversity. Thus, intensification of germplasm collections across the different agroecological zones and characterization using specific markers will give a better understanding of diversity of P. biglobosa in order to enhance selection towards conservation, breeding and sustainable utilization.