Characterization of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. var. altissima Wester) Accessions in Northern Ghana by Agro-morphological Traits

Abstract

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. var. altissima Wester) is a bast fiber crop of global economic importance. Although West Africa is considered the centre of diversity, roselle research and utilization is widely ignored. The awakening of industrialization in Ghana presents roselle as a candidate crop for exploration, however, information on genotypes of economic importance is lacking. Our objective was to map roselle population hotspots in northern Ghana and examine genetic variability therein. Thirty-six roselle accessions collected from five regions in Ghana were planted in field trials using a 6 × 6 lattice square design in three replications and evaluated for seven qualitative and four quantitative morphological traits covering plant type, leaf and stem characteristics, and growth habit. Data were analysed by Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (SDI) and analysis of variance. A large variability was identified between the accessions. The mean SDI values in the 18 districts ranged from 0.53 to 0.73 with Savelugu-Nanton district having the largest diversity and having accessions with the highest mean plant height of 308.27±48.91 cm, highest branching point at 107.19±64.66 cm, and few branches not exceeding 5.0 in number. Majority of the accessions exhibited low branching points. The most variable trait was branch number with SDI of 0.83±0.12. Accessions HA-07, HA-11, HA-12, HA-21, and HA-33 ranked highest with respect to plant height with few branches at high branching points, and large basal diameter. The ample diversity in roselle and identification of genotypes of economic importance await their exploitation for genetic improvement, particularly for fiber yield.

Genetic diversity, variability and characterization of the agro-morphological traits of Northern Ghana Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa var. altissima) accessions

“…sabdariffa, however, 39% had yellow petals and 91% crimson throat. The qualitative characteristics of roselle concur with an earlier report on 36 roselle fibre genotypes from northern Ghana (Ankrah et al, 2018), which exhibited ample variability in plant type, branching habit, stem pubescence and leaf form. The absence of variability in growth habit, calyx pubescence and capsule shape indicates that these traits are conserved in roselle (var.…”

“…Current bast fibre production in SSA amounts to 16,000 metric tons/year. Research and development in roselle as a potential for bast fibre production in Ghana is lacking, despite a wide range of morphotypes found in the northern sector of the country (Ankrah et al, 2018).…”

“…Genetic diversity studies on roselle (var. altissima) are rather scanty and limited to work reported by Ankrah et al (2018) who assessed thirty-six wild roselle accessions in Ghana; a study on a roselle bast fibre characterization study in Kenya (Mwasiagi et al, 2014), and some comparative variability study between kenaf and roselle (Sie et al, 2009;Cheng et al, 2004;Siepe et al, 1997). Further collection of 25 roselle accessions in northern Ghana is hereby evaluated for genetic variability and diversity information.…”

Morpho-agronomic and physiological characterization of African roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) accessions at Hawassa, Ethiopia

“…High genetic diversity for all traits except throat/inner corolla color and plant growth habit among the accession. The large variability in stem color and leaf shape was also reported by(Ankrah et al, 2018b). While, plant growth habit and inner corolla color showed moderate diversity among the accession.…”

“…Despite these drawbacks, morphological evaluation provides information on crop characteristics and reveals sources of useful genotypes for trait improvement (Camussi et al, 1985). Genetic diversity studies on roselle are rather scanty and limited to work reported by (Ankrah et al, 2018a) who assessed thirty-six wild roselle accessions in Ghana; characterization of roselle accessions by agromorphological and RAPD genotyping study in west Africa (Co e, 2016), and a comparative variability study between kenaf and roselle (Siepe et al, 1997); (Cheng et al, 2004); (Sie et al, 2009). Withinpopulation diversity measures the number of distinct classes in a population as richness and the relative abundance of genotypes within those classes as evenness (Shannon & Weaver, 1949).…”