Background: Okra is a vegetable of major nutritional and
economic importance in tropical and subtropical regions. In Benin, its
production remains limited by disease and pest pressure and the lack of
high-performing varieties. Genetic improvement of okra is emerging as a
strategic solution. Morphological characterisation based on qualitative traits
of crops is a very crucial and essential first step in any crop improvement and
breeding programme.
Study Aim: This study aims to assess agro-morphological traits
of five varieties (TZSMN86, AVOK1501, AVOK1505, AVOK1502 and C101), as part of
the requirements for their inclusion in the Beninese Catalogue of Plant Species
and Varieties (CaBEV).
Methodology: Field trials were conducted using a Fisher
Block design with five treatments and four replicates. Sowing was carried out
on September 12, 2023, and April 19, 2024, for the first and second cycles,
respectively. Qualitative and quantitative morphological data were collected
from 20 plants per variety following the guidelines of the International Union
for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). The criteria of
Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) were assessed over two cycles of
on-station trials. Agreement between qualitative parameter classifications
across production seasons was assessed using Cohen's Kappa coefficient, while
phenological and agro-morphological data were analysed using generalised linear
and linear mixed-effect models, followed by Tukey's post hoc tests for mean
comparisons, in R (v4.3.0) with variety and season as fixed factors and block
as a random factor.
Results: Findings revealed that several qualitative traits
were uniform, while significant differences (P < 0.05) were noted in leaf
blade colour and fruit shape. Quantitative data indicate significant
variability between genotypes across seasons. Total fruit yield (including both
commercial and non-commercial fruits) did not show any significant difference
between cycles (P = 1). Ascending hierarchical clustering (AHC) grouped the
varieties into three distinct clusters. Accessions AVOK1502 and AVOK1505 also
showed good stability across seasons.
Conclusion: These results provide a scientific basis for the
approval and registration of high-performing okra varieties (TZSMN86, AVOK1501,
AVOK1505, AVOK1502 and C101) in the national variety catalogue. Directed
crosses between the best-performing accessions, such as AVOK1502 and AVOK1505,
could be considered with the aim of creating new hybrid varieties with improved
characteristics.
Author(s) Details
A. C. G. Mensah
Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB), Centre de
Recherches Agricoles en Horticulture (CRA-H), Programme de Recherches sur les
Cultures Maraîchères, 01 BP 884, Cotonou 01, Bénin.
A. B. B. Kouderin
Unité de Recherche Horticole et Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Laboratoire
des Sciences Végétales, Horticoles et Forestières, Ecole d’Horticulture et
d’Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, BP 43
Kétou, Bénin.
W. T. Koura
Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB), Centre de
Recherches Agricoles en Horticulture (CRA-H), Programme de Recherches sur les
Cultures Maraîchères, 01 BP 884, Cotonou 01, Bénin.
M. Sikirou
Unité de Recherche Horticole et Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Laboratoire
des Sciences Végétales, Horticoles et Forestières, Ecole d’Horticulture et
d’Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, BP 43
Kétou, Bénin.
D. A. J. Azagba
Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB), Centre de
Recherches Agricoles en Horticulture (CRA-H), Programme de Recherches sur les
Cultures Maraîchères, 01 BP 884, Cotonou 01, Bénin.
F. Yalinkpon
Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, École
Doctorale des Sciences Agronomiques et de l'Eau (EDSAE), Université
d'Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Bénin.
M.
Zandjanankou-Tachin
Unité de Recherche Horticole et Aménagement des Espaces Verts, Laboratoire
des Sciences Végétales, Horticoles et Forestières, Ecole d’Horticulture et d’Aménagement
des Espaces Verts, Université Nationale d’Agriculture, BP 43 Kétou, Bénin.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rpbs/v10/7169
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