Genetic diversity in West African okra (Abelmoschus caillei) (A. Chev.) Stevels — Multivariate analysis of morphological and agronomic characteristics

Summary Factor, Principal component and canonical analyses were used to study the extent of genetic diversity among 30 accessions of West African okra. Genetic variability among the accessions proved to be large. Pigmentation of various parts of the accessions and fruit characteristics contributed significantly to the total variation observed. Factor analysis and principal component analysis produced similar results which were substantially different from those produced by canonical analysis. The first three canonical variables accounted for 100% of the total variance while the number of pods per plant, and pod weight primarily accounted for the first canonical variable. Whereas the second canonical variable was primarily loaded by number of seeds per pod and fruit colour, the third canonical variable was comprised of a weight of 100 seeds and number of epicalyx segments.The level of variability observed supports the opinion (Stevels, 1988, 1990) that this okra type constitutes a separate species.