MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NIGERIAN Corchorus species L

Abstract

A study of accessions of the Corchorus species found in Nigeria was undertaken using quantitative and qualitative characters for evaluation. The quantitative characters include plant height, leaf length and breadth, while the qualitative are growth habit, nature of branching, stem pubescence, stem types, leaf shape, leaf colour, leaf pubescence, serration, nature of apex and base with presence or absence of setae. The result showed that plant height varied from 16.16 cm - 78.62 cm, leaf length and breadth from 5.00cm – 20.00cm and 2.00cm – 7.00cm respectively. Growth habit is determinate with medium branching nature, erect for all accessions studied. Leaf is lanceolate, acute at base with two setae for accessions NHCO26, NHCO3, NHCO25 ovate with one or two setae except accession OS/OD/O4. All leaves are green, pubescence and serrated. Among the accessions, stomata are 100% anisocytic and 100% amphistomatic among the accessions. Stomata were more on the abaxial surface and stomatal index ranges from 37.01 - 51.90. Trichomes were widely distributed, eglandular, solitary and unicellular. Three forms, mainly unicellular filiform, unicellular conical and multiserrate stellate types were recorded. These qualitative features especially the presence of setae, stomatal type and distribution were suggested diagnostics in Nigerian Corchorus. Setae were reported significant in characterizing Nigerian Corchorus species