Comparative growth and leaf nutrition of selected roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) genotypes in New Jersey

In an age of rapid technological advances it is deeply concerning that every person does not have access to the clean food and water they need for basic human development, leaving many with lasting developmental problems. Feeding the world has been the aim of many aid organizations, governments and charities and although advances have been made in increasing the basic caloric intake, access to fruit, vegetables and pulses to ensure adequate nutrition. More recently traditional, local and indigenous vegetables have become increasingly popular as people look to decrease their ecological impact while increasing access to nutritious foods. Smallholder farmers and family farms have an opportunity to meet the increasing demand for indigenous vegetables while increasing income and rural development. African indigenous vegetables such as roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) have the potential to create income for farmers, while providing a source of nutritious vegetables for themselves and their families. The objective of this study was to determine the yield and nutrition of four field-grown roselle genotypes over a two year time period. The genotypes chosen (African Green, Indian Red, Indian Variegated, and Thai Red) were chosen based on the regional demand for ethnic vegetables in the Northeast United States. African Green roselle yielded the highest dry weight, 81.89 grams, per plant harvested every two weeks over the growing season, followed by Indian Variegated (79.94g), Indian Red (74.23g) and Thai Red (55.70g). Indian Red yielded the highest when harvested every three weeks (100.41g) with Indian Variegated yielding a similar amount (91.94g) and African Green with the least (64.31g). Field production trials were conducted in New Jersey at the Rutgers Experimental field stations in 2017 and 2018. In all varieties, roselle was found to have 2% of the daily-recommended dose of Calcium and Potassium. 230g of dried roselle leaves are required to meet the daily minimum calcium, iron and potassium needs of children 1-8 years old. Further information is needed in the impacts of leaf harvesting on calyx production as well as the development of an early blooming cultivar with increased nutrition. Overall, indigenous vegetables such as roselle can serve as a model for other specialty ethnic crops in their transition to commercial specialty crops. Results observed and information learned can be transferred to growers in the developing world such as sub-Sahara Africa. Empowering smallholder farmers with new technologies, such as improved seeds, and innovations in agriculture can facilitate the growth of high quality products and rural communities worldwide.M.S.Includes bibliographical referencesby Mara C. Sander