Oduwaye, O.A.*, Ayo-Vaughan, M.A. and Porbeni, J.B.O.

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Foliar yield are important traits in amaranth. Thirty-eight genotypes of amaranth were evaluated to determine genetic variation and selection indices for foliar yield in the crop. Field experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta during the late growing season of 2010 and 2011. Randomized complete block design with three replicates was used. Significant (p < 0.05) difference was observed among the genotypes for the traits evaluated. Specific leaf area, fresh leaf, stem and root weights and leaf dry matter had high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations, heritability estimates and genetic advance. Leaf dry matter had significant genotypic correlation coefficients with specific leaf area (-0.70), fresh leaf weight (0.59), fresh root weight (0.60) and biomass weight (0.39). Biomass weight (10.72) and leaf area (0.56) had positive direct effect on leaf dry matter was revealed for. Co-heritability between leaf dry matter and other traits varied from 0.94 (harvest index) to 1.29 (leaf area) which revealed simultaneous inheritance between the traits. Biomass weight and specific leaf area were considered as important selection index for foliage yield in amaranth. Key words: Heritability, Path analysis, Specific leaf area, Trait association, Vegetable amaranths