Nutritional Yield of African Indigenous Vegetables in Water-Deficient and Water-Sufficient Conditions

Abstract

Water scarcity in certain regions of sub-Saharan Africa impacts agricultural production while prolonging dry seasons, and contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the nutritional yield (edible yield × nutritional content) of indigenous leafy vegetables commonly consumed in Africa under water-stressed conditions. Two species of amaranth, two species of African nightshade, and two varieties of Ethiopian kale were examined under environment-controlled water-sufficient and water-deficient conditions. Fresh and dry stem and leaf weights significantly decreased in the three crop groups under the water-deficient treatment. Nutritional values for carotenoids, tocopherols, calcium and zinc showed significant differences at the content level among treatments. Among the 6 crops evaluated, the amaranth species named Amaranthus hypochondriacus and the African nightshade species named Solanum scabrum had the lowest nutrient losses in drought conditions.