COMPARATIVE MICRO-ANATOMICAL STUDIES OF THE WOOD OF TWO SPECIES OF OKRA [ABELMOSCHUS SPECIES]

Abstract

Okra belongs to the family Malvaceae. Common edible species are either Abelmoschus caillei [A. Chev.] Stevels or A. esculentus Moench. Seeds of the two species were obtained from the Gene bank of National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Ibadan, Nigeria. This study anatomically investigated the accessions to determine their distinctiveness and assess their level of diversity. Field trials were conducted at the University of Benin, Nigeria. The main stem from tagged point at seven weeks interval at three points were investigated from three dimensional views (transverse, radial and tangential section). Using light microscopy, the nature and composition of the wood were determined from the macerated part. Twenty random fibers were measured from each representative sample slide. The occurrence of the growth rings were consistent in both species showing ring porous arrangements. The vessels in A. esculentus were solitary and short radial multiples in arrangement and A. caillei were short radial multiples and irregular clusters in arrangement but both species had mainly simple perforation vessels. More so, the distribution of axial parenchyma was of paratracheal orientation. A. caillei had wide and high multiseriate rays while in A. esculentus only high multiseriate rays were observed. There was a reduction in vessel diameter and fiber length across the age in both species. Fiber diameter, fiber lumen and fiber cell wall showed different degree of fluctuations with age in both species. The study suggests that age may significantly influence anatomical characters of both species.