Development traits, leaf mass and determinants of leaf yield in Corchorus olitorius [L.] accessions cultivated in peat moss substrate

Abstract

In tropical Africa, Corchorus olitorius is cultivated for mucilage in the leaves. The desire for safe, high quality leaves and climate shocks necessitate its cultivation in polyethylene house. Variation for developmental and leaf yield traits and interdependence among traits were studied. Experiments were begun on 9 November to 23 December 2018, and 9 April to 30 May 2019 at the teaching and research farm, Ikole Ekiti, Nigeria. Fourteen accessions were evaluated in completely randomised design in four replications. At culling, twenty plants were randomly picked per entry for measurement of plant and leaf length, node/plant, leaf/plant, plant weight, fresh leaf mass, dry leaf mass, leaf dry matter and leaf area. The accessions and seasons were fixed. Correlation between traits was done using PROC CORR of SAS Institute. The contribution of independent traits to plant weight, leaf/plant and edible leaf weight was analysed using PROC STEP REG of SAS Institute. The genotypic response differed for all traits. The heat stress and humidity in polyethylene house over seasons, physical and chemical properties of peat moss and nutrients impact positively on vegetative growth and leaf dry weight. Low predictability for plant length and leaf width corresponds with significant Genotype x Season Interaction. FUO 4, 3 and 5 hold promise for large leaf size, FUO 10 and 1 for leaf/plant, FUO 14, 3 and 2 for dry leaf mass, and FUO 2 and 11 for leaf dry matter. Phenotypic improvement in plant length will enhance leaf/plant, leaf size and fresh leaf mass.