Morphological Evaluation of West African Okra, Abelmoschus caillei (A. Chev.) Stevels (Malvaceae) Fruits

Abstract

West African Okra (WAO) Abelmoschus caillei (A. Chev.) Stevels is common in traditional agricultural systems, where it is cultivated for its leaves, fruits, seeds, floral parts and stems. This study aims to conduct morphological evaluation of WAO fruits in order to investigate their diversity and contribute to conservation strategies. Using random stratified sampling method, WAO fruits were collected in Abudu, Ogan, Ologbo, Agenebode communities in Edo State and Koko, Agbor and Umunede communities in Delta State. Results showed that the highest mean and standard error values of pod length (cm) (10.98 ± 0.21) was recorded from Ogan and the least (7.46 ± 0.39) was obtained from Umunede. Highest mean and standard error of pod width (cm) were obtained from Ologbo (9.81 ± 0.59) while the least value was recorded from Agenebode (8.29 ± 0.43). WAO fruits collected from Ogan had the highest mean value for pod size index (10.35 ± 0.21) while the least value was recorded from Agenebode (8.10 ± 0.17). Results for number of ridges on WAO fruits suggest highest and least mean values were recorded from Ogan and Agenebode communities (8.90 ± 0.41 and 6.80 ± 0.20), respectively. The nature of fruit tip of WAO fruits collected from Abudu, Agbor, Agenebode, Ogan and Ologbo were 100% acute, Koko and Umunede are 80% acute and 20% obtuse. The fruit base of Okra from Abudu and Ogan is 100% flat. Agbor and Ologbo had 90% flat fruit base and 10% protruding fruit base. The nature of fruit base of both Agenebode and Umunede is 60% flat and 40% protruding, while that of Koko is 70% flat and 30% protruding. These results suggest morphological variations in WAO within the study area. The variation in traits may be a pointer to the differences in the genetic make-up of the accessions considered.