Proximate and mineral composition of Ethiopian pea (Pisum sativum var. abyssinicum A. Braun) landraces vary across altitudinal ecosystems

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the chemical (nutrient) composition of three Ethiopian pea landraces at three different altitudinal gradients in Ethiopia. Seeds of Sirinka 2017 (midland), Gedober 2017 (lowland) and Wemberet 2017 (highland) were collected from farmers’ fields. The Kjeldahl method was used to determine crude protein content. The carbohydrate and fat contents were evaluated by arithmetic difference and soxhlet fat extraction methods, respectively. Fiber content was analyzed by Megazyme method. To determine mineral quantities, we used ICP-OES technique. The results indicated variation in the proximate composition and mineral contents of the landraces. Gedober 2017 landrace grown at the highland altitude had higher crude protein, fat and fiber contents. Protein contents varied from 21.63% to 28.13%. The lowest fat content was recorded in Wemberet 2017 landrace (1.46%) both in the highland and lowland agroecosystems. Furthermore, all the landraces had high potassium (41.43–74.21 µg/g) and low sodium (0.93–27.65 µg/g) contents. Taken together, the variation in proximate composition and mineral contents of the landraces indicated differential adaptations to altitudinal agroecosystems showcasing necessity for preferential cropping.

Keywords

• agroecosystem
• ash
• crude fiber
• mineral nutrient
• gedober 2017
• nutrition