Preliminary assessment of the microanatomy of okra [Abelmoshcus (L.)] Wood | ||||
| Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, H. Botany | ||||
| Article 3, Volume 5, Issue 1, December 2014, Page 39-54 PDF (625.6 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/eajbsh.2014.16827 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
| Osawaru M. E.; Ogwu M. C.; Emokpare A. A. | ||||
| Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench and Abelmoschus caillei (A. Chev.) Stevel) belongs to the family Malvaceae. They are grown in many parts of the world, especially in tropical and subtropical countries where they provide income and food security. Three accessions of the two species of Okra were collected from the Nigerian Institute of Horticulture (NIHORT), Ibadan and cultivated in the University of Benin, Nigeria. The examination of sections obtained at the seventh node of each sample of Abelmoschus esculentus (Samples A and B) and Abelmoschus caillei (Sample C) was conducted at Forest Research Institute (FRIN), Ibadan. Results from the microanatomy analysis reveal average length of fibre for Sample A, B and C are 1118.5-1376.4 µm, 1376.4-1142.0-1131.0 µm and 1325-1363 µm respectively while average fiber diameter for Sample A, B and C are 28.8-31.0 µm, 22.3-27.7 µm and 24.3-24.9 µm respectively. The lumen diameter was 15.4-17.9 µm, 12.3-16.6 µm and 12.8-14.9 µm respectively for Sample A, B and C while 6.6-6.7 µm, 4.9-5.3 µm and 5.1-6.1 µm are the values obtained for cell wall thickness of sample A, B and C respectively. These values are comparable to those for flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.), jute (Corchorus capsularis L. and Corchorus olitorius L.), kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), sisal (Agave sisalana Perr.). Thus, it can be suggested that the fibre dimension indicates possible usefulness of these Okra species as alternative source of raw materials for several industrial process. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Abelmoschus (Okra); Microanatomy; wood; fibre; Economic plant | ||||
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