Characterisation Of Local And Exotic Accessions Of Moringa (Moringa Oleifera Lamarck)
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University of Ghana
Abstract
Knowledge of existing diversity especially at the genotypic level in plant population
is crucial for the effective breeding, conservation, management, and efficient
utilization of plant genetic resources (PGR) (Mondini et al., 2009). However,
Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lamarck), a common and popular plant growing in almost
every part of the country with several uses and benefits still remains underutilized
tropical crop in Ghana. This is due to the fact that the crop has either received little or
no attention with respect to research and breeding programmes. Moringa oleifera
seeds were collected from ten provenances with eight from Ghana and one each from
United State of America and India. A completely randomised complete block design
and modification of AVRDC-GRSU record sheet was used to evaluate morphological
characteristics of thirty seven accessions from these provenances. Eight out of twelve
traits observed revealed variability among the accessions studied. For quantitative
characters studied; tripinnatum leaf length ranged between 25.2cm and 61.6cm,
tripinnatum leaf width ranged between 17.8cm and 48.5cm, tripinnatum leaflet length
ranged from 10.8cm to 25.9cm and tripinnatum leaflet width was from 5.7cm and
17.6cm. There were also significant differences among the accessions of Moringa
oleifera for the vegetative features. Dry leaf samples of Moringa from eight
provenances with 40 accessions were used for both biochemical and molecular
analysis. The dried leaf samples were found to contain 0.0014 - 0.0736% (Fe), 0.0006
– 0.0097% Mn, and 0.0005 – 0.111% Zn. The accessions also contained 40.3 – 79.3
mg/kg (Ca), 19.23 - 48.13 mg/kg (Mg), 87.5 -253.1 mg/kg (Na), 1549 – 2272 mg/kg
(K) and 0.179 – 0.438 mg/kg (P). There were significant differences in the nutritional
content of the dried Moringa leaf samples except for potassium (K). The heavy metal
Pb ranged from 0.0005 -0.0058%. Percentage dry matter, crude protein and nitrogen ranged from 14.63 – 25.37%, 12.9 – 26.3% and 2.064 – 4.208% respectively. Eleven
distinct bands with a monomorphic locus at a distance of 1.2cm for the forty
accessions were observed in gel electrophoresis of total protein from the accessions.
The bands ranged from a length of 0.1cm to 3.9cm with two accessions, E40 and E41
producing all eleven bands. Forty genotypes from different ecological zones were
assayed for polymorphism using twelve decamer RAPD markers. Ten primers
amplified and showed distinct DNA fragments. A high polymorphic level was
recorded with 95.1% of the fragments produced being polymorphic (4.9%
monomorphic). Cluster analysis showed a separation of BNR 4 accession from the
rest. Accessions E41 and UE49 could not be resolved by the RAPD marker. Cluster
analysis of the combined data of total protein and RAPD produced two major clusters
with accession BNR4 separating itself from the rest. In conclusion, enough variation
existed among the accessions studied and can be used in the establishment of Moringa
breeding programme to produce superior varieties.
Description
Thesis (MPhil) - University of Ghana, 2012