Heritability Analysis and Phenotypic Characterization of Spider Plant (Cleome gynandra L.) for Yield

Abstract

Knowledge on phenotypic diversity among existing spider plant accessions is a milestone in the improvement of spider plant, which is a highly nutritious indigenous vegetable in Kenya. A study involving agronomic and morphological characterization of 49 spider plant accessions assembled from East and South Africa was carried out at the University of Nairobi Field Station for two seasons in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Phenotypic data was collected on growth habit, flower, petiole, leaf and stem colour, petiole, leaf and stem hairiness, number of leaves per plant, plant height, number of primary branches, leaf length and width, single leaf area, and chlorophyll content according to FAO descriptors with modifications. Data was analyzed using both DARwin software V6 and Genstat Version 14. We observed significant differences among the traits implying great genetic variability among the evaluated spider plant accessions. The high genetic variation was further validated using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering method with stem and flower colour as key traits. The 49-spider plant accessions were clustered into 2 major groups, each consisting of Kenyan and South African accessions. Stepwise regression revealed that plant height had the most influence on yield in terms of number of leaves per plant. We also observed high heritability for several traits including days to flowering (91%), number of leaves per plant (99%), plant height (99%), number of primary branches (94%), chlorophyll content (94%), and single leaf area (87%). Our results reveal the high genetic variation between different spider plant accessions, especially from different regions of Africa that could be further exploited to improve productivity in the plant. The high heritability of most of the yield related traits is promising for improving yield in the crop through direct selection.

Phenotypic variation in biomass and related traits among four generations advanced lines of Cleome (Gynandropsis gynandra L. (Briq.))

“…We observed highly significant variation among advanced lines for biomass productivity, growth traits, leaf traits and flowering time in Gynandropsis gynandra . Similar observations for morphological traits have also been reported for worldwide accessions [ 3 , 55 ], East and Southern African accessions and cultivars [ 4 ], and accessions from South Africa and Kenya [ 54 ], Ghana [ 50 ], and Burkina-Faso [ 51 ]. This significant variation represents a valuable resource for sustainable and successful breeding programs for the species.…”

“…We therefore hypothesize that phenotypes can accurately predict genotypes, but this should be confirmed with multi-environmental trials. Similarly, high broad-sense heritability estimates were reported for stem diameter, plant height, number of primary branches, leaf biomass, leaf area, leaflet length and width, and days to 50% flowering in the species [ 54 , 89 ]. This suggests that high genetic advancement is achievable for biomass and related traits in the species.…”

Assessment of Genetic Parameters for Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and TSS Content Results in Melon Line Crosses at Five Maturity Stages

“…In agreement with the result of this study, [48] reported that eight ai commercial melon varieties tested had PDC values higher than GDC in all tested characteristics. e PDC value greater than GDC indicates that the character is heavily affected by environmental factors rather than genetic factors, while the PDC value that is almost the same as the GDC value indicates that the appearance of the characteristics is not much affected by the environment [49][50][51] [52], so the selection can be made based on the appearance of these characteristics [53,54]. Table 6 shows that the three characteristics observed in the five stages of maturity have PDC values almost the same as GDC.…”

Ten Years ofGynandropsis gynandraResearch for Improvement of Nutrient‐Rich Leaf Consumption: Lessons Learnt and Way Forwards

“…Using F 2 populations, Sogbohossou (2019) observed high broad-sense heritability for some agronomic traits and essential vitamins in the species. Moreover, Kangai Munene et al (2018) and Kiebre et al (2017) reported high broad-sense heritability for leaf biomass, fruit traits, plant height, stem diameter, primary branches number, and days to 50% flowering in G. gynandra (Table 1). More importantly, the genetic variance was higher than the environmental variance (Kangai Munene et al, 2018;Kiebre et al, 2017).…”

“…Moreover, Kangai Munene et al (2018) and Kiebre et al (2017) reported high broad-sense heritability for leaf biomass, fruit traits, plant height, stem diameter, primary branches number, and days to 50% flowering in G. gynandra (Table 1). More importantly, the genetic variance was higher than the environmental variance (Kangai Munene et al, 2018;Kiebre et al, 2017). On the other hand, narrow-sense heritability of leaf yield and related traits ranged from low to high and trait-specific (Akita, 2020;Salaou, 2020).…”