Abstract
Jatropha curcas is a multi-purpose tree with significant economic importance that has not been fully exploited due to lack of adequate breeding programme in Nigeria. Consequently upon this, 31 accessions collected from 4 states in Southwestern Nigeria were assessed for their morphological diversity in order to establish this as a bed rock for further breeding programmes. Data were collected on plant height, numbers of leaves and collar diameter; these were subjected to analysis of variance, principal component analysis and cluster analysis using Minitab version 17. The results showed significant differences (p≤0.05) among the 31 accessions assessed. Principal component analysis indicated that the first three axes contributed 97.8% of the total variation observed. The first axis accounted for 68% of the total variation while the second and third axes accounted for 24.7% and 5.1%, respectively, of the total variation recorded. Cluster analysis as well as the dendrogram revealed three distinct clusters of genetic similarities and differences. High genetic similarities were observed among accessions collected from the different states whereas some accessions collected from similar regions had low genetic similarities. Cluster 1 consisted of 21 genotypes with their characters falli ng below the grand mean. Cluster 2 had nine genotypes, they produced the highest values for all the characters assessed. Cluster 3 with only one genotype has its values below the ground mean. Members of cluster 2 have proven to be superior. The existence of morphological diversity offers potential for selection among the accessions in the breeding of J. curcas from southwestern Nigeria.
Highlights
Jatropha curcas belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae
Upon this, 31 accessions collected from 4 states in Southwestern Nigeria were assessed for their morphological diversity in order to establish this as a bed rock for further breeding programmes
The mean square analysis for the thirty one accessions of J. curcas revealed significant differences for all the characters, which validated further statistical analysis (Table 2). These results indicate the presence of morphological variation among the accessions studied
Summary
Jatropha curcas belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae. It is known as a physic nut. Apart from its potentials for biodiesel production, J. curcas can be used for several purposes which include but not limited to saponification of oil in the process of making soap, cleaning, dye for clothes, and organic fertilizer. Some researchers have reported genetic variation in the Jatropha populations from India, China, Latin America and Malaysia based on morphological and agronomical characters by using morphological and molecular techniques (Shabanimofrad et al, 2013; Rafii et al, 2012a; Rao et al, 2008; Kaushik et al, 2007; Ginwal et al, 2005) Such information has not been documented for the J. curcas population in Southwestern Nigeria; this study is aimed at investigating the morphological diversity of J. curcas accessions and to determine the genetic components of the important characters in the J. curcas accessions
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