Variability among West African okra (Abelmoschus spp. L.) accessions based on quantitative traits

Characterization and determination of genetic diversity among West African germplasm are prerequisites for the utilization of valuable traits in plant breeding. The study was conducted to (i) assemble and characterize okra accessions for conservation and to establish a national working collection and (ii) assess the genetic diversity among the assembled okra accessions based on morphological traits. One hundred and sixty (160) okra accessions assembled in Ghana and Nigeria were characterized under optimal conditions in Ghana in 2018. The study revealed significant variations among the 160 assembled okra accessions for all the quantitative traits measured, suggesting that there could be sufficient progress from selection for improvement of the traits and further okra breeding purposes in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Days to 50% flowering was significantly and negatively associated with the number of fruits per plant, indicating early flowering could provide more fruits per plant for the accessions. The 160 okra accessions were classified into five (5) heterotic groups (clusters), suggesting that there was wide genetic diversity among the assembled accessions. Accessions V_24, AKD_9, V_23, V_25, BBN_3, V_27, V_17, V_1, SGKP_5, V_33, V_6, V_14, K8PT14, V_42, V_63, and SGKP_3 were found to be promising and could be very useful for farmers and consumers in SSA. These accessions should be further tested to confirm the consistency of their performance and recommended for release and commercialization in SSA.