Morphological Characterization of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench.) in a Sahelian Environment in Situ

Abstract

Okra is a very important plant in Niger for its fruit. However, its cultivation is mainly practiced during the rainy season. Unpredictable weather results in low yields for this rainfed crop. This study focuses on the variability of morphological types of okra accessions in a rural setting in Niger. Aims: The objective is to characterize the morphological diversity of okra in situ in Tanout department. In the study area, okra exhibits good ecological adaptation. Place and Duration of Study: The study has been conducted in the field in Tanout department (Niger) from the 1st to 11th of October 2024. Methodology: A total of 11 quantitative and 5 qualitative variables were used to characterize the morphological diversity of 688 okra plants from 21 production sites. The data collected were analyzed using R 4.3.1 and Minitab 18 software. Results: The results of the correspondence analysis confirmed the distribution of accessions into four groups according to production areas. Kahon barewa is used in the high-production area, while Gagera was most frequently cited in the low-production area. Bagobira is cited in the medium-production area, and Dogoua is present in all production areas. ANOVA revealed significant differences for quantitative variables between accessions. Conclusion: The okra accessions studied can be considered as well adapted to the agro-ecological conditions of the Tanout department.