Ethiopian Mustard is a quick growing indigenous vegetable less documented in Zambia. A study was done to evaluate selected Ethiopian mustard genotypes for adaptability to Zambian environment. Seven genotypes - Mbeya Green, Mbeya Purple, Mustard-1, Arumeru, Chinasaki, Rungwe and RW-B-1 ex World vegetable Centre, Tanzania were used. The study was conducted at the University of Zambia under dry winter and wet summer conditions. Randomized complete block and Split- plot designs were used to test yield, resilience to harvesting frequency (6, 10 and 14 day intervals) and micronutrient content (P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe). Results showed that in winter, Mbeya green (36.9 t ha-i), Mustard-1 (36.51 t ha-1) had the highest yield whereas Chinasaki (21.14 t ha-i) and RW-B-1 (18.46 t ha-i) had the lowest yields. In winter 14 day interval (37.14 t ha-i) had the highest yield followed by the 10- day interval (36.19 t ha-i), the 6 day had the lowest yield (16.64). Winter yields were almost double those of summer. Summer yields decreased with increase in harvesting interval. Yield increased with plant height. There was an inverse relationship between leaf yield and micro nutrient content. Low yielding genotypes had higher mineral contents.
Keywords: Macro and micro nutrients, Crop development, African Indigenous Vegetables