Effect of Flower Bud Removal on Root Quality of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica(Lam.) Cogn.) Accessions at Bishoftu, Ethiopia

Assimilate distribution in root and tuber crops to the reproductive parts affect the expected nutritional quality of the underground parts, tubers and/or roots. Regardless of this fact, anchote growers practically leave fruits to grow until the harvest of the roots, diverting the photosynthates. However, there is no research attempt made so far assess the effect of flower bud removal on nutritional quality of anchote root. Therefore this research was conducted at DZARC field in 2011/2012 with the objective of assessing the effect of flower bud removal on root mineral nutrient content of different anchote accessions. The experiment consisted of two factors vis-à-vis Factor A: anchote accessions (90801, 220563, 240407B, 240407G, 90802, 223090, and Kuwe) and Factor B: flower bud removal (with and without removal). A 2x7 factorial arrangement was laid with RCBD and replicated three times. Data pertaining to nutritional quality parameters of root were collected and analyzed using SAS statistical package with 9.2 versions (SAS 9.2 version Institute Inc., 2008). As per the results, interaction effect of accession and flower bud removal was significant (P<0.05) for percent dry matter content of roots and highest (23.18%) recorded on accession 223090 when the flower buds were removed. Anchote accessions significantly (P<0.01) differed with respect of root mineral nutrient content. The highest root protein (8.26%) and calcium (89.79 mg/100 g) content found in 220563 and 223090, respectively. Accession 223090 also contain highest magnesium (45.36 mg/100 g) compared to the rest. Except phosphorus and iron content, all mineral nutrients significantly (P<0.01) affected by flower bud removal. Absence of flower bud increased root crude protein, calcium and magnesium content by 5.22, 3.34 and 3.92 in percent, respectively. The study revealed that flower bud removal had a pronounced effect on root mineral nutrient content of anchote and accessions differed significantly for all quality parameters examined. In general, this research put imperative information pertinent to the influence of developing fruits on the main consumable part, the root.

Author(s): Hassen Yassin Mossa*, Ali Mohammed and Desta Fekadu

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