Characterization of nutrient composition of selected indigenous spider plant genotypes.

Abstract

pider plants (Cleome gynadra) are rich sources of essential nutrients and hold immense potential for addressing nutritional deficiencies in various populations. By determining the nutrient composition of different spider plant genotypes, this study aimed to contribute valuable insights into their nutritional value and potential benefits. With the objectives determining the mineral nutrient composition profiles, including macronutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and micronutrients (e.g., iron, zinc and calcium) of different spider genotypes and assessing the relationship between nutrient accumulation in spider plant and the availability of nutrients in the soil. The soil samples from fields where the spider plants were analysed using the lab to determine the mineral composition of the soil in the different spider plant genotypes. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between nutrient accumulation in spider plants and availability of soil nutrients to understand how soil nutrient availability influences nutrient uptake and accumulation in spider plants. In conclusion, the Central and Northern Genotype have the highest nutrient composition that are deficient in human diets and high biomass accumulation which should be multiped for commercial and consumption purposes around the country. The leaves and stalks should be highly consumed due to their high nutrient composition. Continuous experiments should be done to fully evaluate the performance of the different spider plant genotype s in other agroecologically zones.The new information can be used as foundation for supporting breeding programs and a guide on how to improve their productivity, cultivation efforts and promotions of their consumption to solve malnutritional problem in diets in Uganda.