Variability Studies as Inferred from Leaf Morpho-Stomatal Features in <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Lam. from Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing demand for the Moringa oleifera product needs to be complimented with new improved cultivars with high performance to meet the supply chain of the country. To achieve this, the present study was aimed at studying the variability among 21 ecotype of M. oleifera based on morphology and leaf anatomy to detect promising cultivars for mapping out of future breeding schemes of this important crop. The generated data were analysed with the NTSYS pc software, and the 33 plant accessions were clustered into five groups irrespective of area of collection. Significant variations were observed in the leaf morphological and anatomical parameters of the accessions such that on clustering, region unspecific were observed in clusters I, II and III indicating a high possibility of exchange of genetic information between samples from far and closer geographical locations since they are not completely isolated. From the analysed accessions, 26BDMKT from north-west part of Nigeria forms a single cluster (IV) and gave the highest leaf length measurement of 61.2cm.

Keywords: Leaf, Morphology, Stomata, Variation and Moringa oleifera