Evaluation of Blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) Genotypes for Nutritional Quality

Blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.), is the most important legume crop, rich in high-quality protein, energy, fibre and micronutrients especially iron, zinc. High genetic diversity is known to exist among blackgram genotypes for micronutrient densities. Considering these facts and the status of micronutrient malnutrition in the developing countries, evaluated 59 genotypes collected from different locations of India during 2019-20, kharif at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, with the major objective of identifying genotypes with high protein and micronutrient contents. The micronutrient contents viz., zinc and iron in seed was estimated by digesting the sample with di acid mixture and then determined with the help of atomic absorption spectrophotometer, while protein content was estimated by Kjeldahl method. Results revealed that the variation in iron content among the genotypes ranged from 5.4 mg100g-1(WBU 108 and PU 1541) to 9.2 mg100g-1 (IPU 11-6) with a mean value of 7.0 mg100g-1and the zinc content ranged from 1.9 mg100g-1 (VBG 13-003, PU 1541 and LG 787) to 4.00 mg100g-1 (KU 17-04 and MBG 1070) with a mean value of 2.9 mg100g-1. The variation in protein content was also high ranged from 17.3 (ADT 5) to 23.8 per cent (LBG623) with a mean value of 21.2 per cent. This variability implies that, the screened genotypes could serve as a source for breeding new varieties with improved biochemical and nutritional traits and could be highly suited to meet specific dietary requirements. Promoting production of such iron and zinc rich cultivars will help in increasing availability and consumption of high quality blackgram necessary to alleviate hidden hunger.