Full Length Research Paper

Genetic relationships among West African okra (Abelmoschus caillei) and Asian genotypes (Abelmoschus esculentus) using RAPD

Sunday E. Aladele¹, O. J. Ariyo² and Robert de Lapena³

¹National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, P.M.B 5382, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria.

²University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

³Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC), The World Vegetable Centre, Tainan, Taiwan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: sundayaladele@yahoo.com.

Accepted 24 March, 2008

Ninety-three accessions of okra which comprises of 50 West African genotypes (Abelmoschus caillei) and 43 Asian genotypes (A. esculentus) were assessed for genetic distinctiveness and relationships using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The molecular analysis showed that all the thirteen primers used revealed clear distinction between the two genotypes. There were more diversity among the Asian genotypes; this might be due to the fact that they were originally collected from six different countries in the region. Six duplicates accessions were discovered while accession TOT7444 distinguished itself from the other two okra species, an indication which suggests that it might belong to a different species.

Key words: West African okra, genetic relationship, Abelmoschus caillei, Abelmoschus esculentus.