TITLE:
Agro Morphological Characterization and Evaluation of Three Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] Varieties from Zinder (Niger) for Yield and Other Variability Components
AUTHORS:
Rabiou Abdou, Oumarou Zango, Abdoul Karim Toudou, Timothée Kouassi Agbo So, Yacoubou Bakasso
KEYWORDS:
Agronomic Performance, Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, Multivariate Analysis, Niger Republic
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.13 No.3,
March
8,
2022
ABSTRACT: Okra, (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench), is grown as a sole crop and as a field crop in Niger. In the present study, three okra varieties from Zinder region in Niger Republic have been assessed for their agronomic performance traits. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications during the dry season 2018-2019. The following characters were evaluated: emergence; germination; boutonization flowering; fructificaion; height at flowering; height at maturity; length of the petiole; diameter of leaves; diameter of plants; number of fruits; number of fruit per branch; total number of fruits; number of branch, number of leaves; length of fruits; diameter of fruits; number of arrets; weight of fruits; weight of seed, number of seeds. The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using XlStat version 7.1 and the means separated by using Turkey’s Method. Analysis of Principal components (PCA) using R software was also performed on the variables. There were significant differences for all characters except emergence, germination, diameter of plants, number of fruits, total number of fruits and diameter of fruits. The multivariate analysis by the ACP showed a grouping of the varieties in three groups. The three okra varieties have revealed good performances and could be useful for a breeding program. The study of the water needs of the varieties will be very interesting to make a better selection of the collection.