Evaluation of tigernut accessions in Ghana for proximate and mineral composition

Abstract

Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L.) is a nutritious, yet underutilised crop in Ghana. The objective of this study was to characterise Ghanaian tigernut accessions for proximate and mineral composition, as a guide for breeders for varietal development. Field and laboratory studies were conducted on 24 tigernut accessions from major growing areas of Ghana. The accessions were cultivated during the minor the growing season (September - November), at the Multipurpose Nursery of the University of Education, Winneba, Asante Mampong in Ghana. The nuts were analysed for proximate (carbohydrate, energy, moisture, ether extract, crude fiber, crude protein and ash) and mineral (potassium, phosphorus and calcium) composition. There were significant (P<0.05) differences among accessions for all traits studied. Accessions were clustered in a dendrogram by colour and geographical origin and PC1 and PC2 explained more than 80% of the total variations among the accessions, with carbohydrate and energy being the major contributors to the total variation. Accessions DY, BKB, KAB, TPY, CCY, WY2 and WY1, which recorded high levels of proximate and mineral compositions, may be considered for breeding programmes to provide high nutrient varieties of tigernut in Ghana.