Characterization of a Diverse Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) Germplasm Collection Based on Fruit Quality Traits

Yıldız M., Turan Sirke S., Koçak M., Mancak I., Ağar Özkaya A., Abak K., ...Daha Fazla

PLANTS, cilt.14, sa.565, ss.1-17, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 14 Sayı: 565
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Dergi Adı: PLANTS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-17
  • Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Okra is an important dietary component of many Asian countries, providing

high levels of dietary fiber, phytonutrients (e.g., antioxidant vitamins and pigments), and

essential minerals. Evaluation of okra germplasm collections can improve the curation of

genebanks and help identify superior materials for breeding. In this study, 66 okra

accessions from diverse geographical origins were characterized based on fruit quality

traits, including fruit fresh (FFW) and dry weights (FDW), dry matter (DM), diameter,

length, and diameter of the fruit peduncle; concentration of vitamin C, chlorophyll a and

b, and total chlorophyll; and color-chroma values. Significant (p < 0.05) and substantial

variation was found among the accessions for all traits. Mean FFW and FDW varied

nearly three-fold, with ranges of 3.76–9.99 g and 0.43–1.34 g, respectively, with a range in

DM content of 10.5–19.4%. Vitamin C and total chlorophyll content varied 6.4- and

8.3-fold, with ranges of 12.8–82.8 and 1.07–8.91 mg/100 g fw, respectively, with

substantial variation also observed in chlorophyll composition. Significant positive

correlations were found between vitamin C and total and subtypes of chlorophyll levels

(r = 0.29–0.32), whereas the strongest correlations were between FFW and FDW (r = 0.88)

and between total chlorophyll and chlorophyll subtypes a and b (r = 0.90–0.95).

Additionally, a dendrogram constructed based on these phenotypic data grouped the

accessions in general agreement with their geographical origins and fruit traits. Overall,

our results revealed broad phenotypic diversity in the evaluated germplasm, which is

exploitable in okra breeding programs aimed at increasing fruit quality and nutraceutical

value.