Phenotypic diversity and multivariate analyses of yield and yield-related traits in amaranth accessions from Malawi

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is an underutilized, climate-resilient crop with the potential to improve food and nutritional security, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its potential as a climate-resilient and nutritious crop, limited research on the genetic diversity and agronomic performance of locally adapted amaranth genotypes restricts understanding of key trait relationships and slows breeding progress. This study aimed to address this gap by evaluating the genetic variation and trait-based classification of six amaranth genotypes using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical analyses on seven quantitative traits. Principal component analysis revealed that the first two components explained 63.6% of the total variation, effectively distinguishing genotypes based on key vegetative traits (leaf length, leaf width, stem girth, and plant height) and yield-related parameters (inflorescence length, grain yield and dry biomass). Cluster analysis identified two statistically distinct groups, with grain yield and inflorescence length contributing most to genetic divergence. Strong positive correlations among grain yield, stem girth, leaf length, and inflorescence traits suggest opportunities for indirect selection. Genotypes CK-BH-01 and LL-BH-04 exhibited superior performance in yield-related traits, making them as promising candidates for breeding improvement. These findings provide a robust, data-driven framework for trait-based selection in amaranth breeding, supporting the development of high-yielding, stress-resilient varieties adapted to diverse agroecological zones.