THE PROXIMATE AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF IMPROVED CHICKPEA CULTIVARS GROWN UNDER THE PURE STAND AND BANANA INTERCROP SYSTEMS IN SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA AGRO ECOLOGICAL ZONE

South Western Uganda Agro ecological Zone is a major banana producing region faced with malnutrition, partly due to high intake of banana, which is low in protein, essential amino acids and most micronutrients compared to other foodstuffs with high protein and micronutrients. Five improved chickpea cultivars (ICCV 00108, 1CCV 00305, 1CCV 92318, 1CCV 96329, 1CCV 97105), introduced as an alternative protein source were grown as monocrop and intercrop with bananas and the effect of the cropping method on their nutritive value investigated. Their proximate and chemical compositions were determined, using standard methods. Moisture content ranged between 11.11 and 12.14 %, crude protein content ranged between 18.00 to 19.04 %, crude fat content varied from 3.29 to 4.69 %, ash content ranged between 3.38 and 12.14 %; whereas crude fibre ranged between 4.43 and 11.20 %. The Fe content varied from 15.98 to 31.19 mg/100g, Zn ranged between 248.42 and 292.18 mg/100g, Cu varied between 12.91 and 25.95 mg/100g, whereas Mn varied from 84.82 to 112.1 mg/100g. The K content ranged from 855.00 to 1060 mg/100g, Na ranged from 269.17 to 590.00 mg/100g, Mg varied from 85.84 to 95.84 mg/100g, Ca ranged between 464.17 and 507.50 mg/100g whereas P varied between 366.67 and 418.34 mg/100g. The cropping method did not affect the proximate composition of the chickpea but the crude fibre and ash contents varied significantly (P<0.05) among the cultivars. All the mineral contents except P, varied significantly (P<0.05) among cultivars. The cropping method significantly (P<0.05) affected all mineral contents except Ca, Cu and P. Cultivar ICCV 97105 was more nutrient-dense, compared to other cultivars. The results indicate differences in the seed ash and crude fibre contents of the cultivars studied. The findings of this study establish the five analysed chickpea cultivars as a potential source of protein and appreciable amounts of both trace elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) and macro-elements such as K, P, Mg and Ca.

Keywords
Proximate; Chemical composition; Malnutrition; Protein; Chickpea cultivars; cropping method