Taxonomic Implication of Morphology of Seven Varieties of Vigna unguiculata ( .L.) Walp. Cultivated in Awka Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Morphological studies were carried out on the leaf, stem, petiole, petioluse , pod and seed  of seven varieties of Vigna unguiculata (.L.)Walp. using standard methods. Similarities were observed in the habit, stem type, colour, leaf arrangement and type of leaf. Differences were observed in the leaf area (cm²), petiololuse length, petiole, stem length, pod weigth and seed colours.  Iron beans showed the highest leaf area (82.85cm²) while Oloka beans showed the lowest (21.75cm²). Petioluse length was highest in crowther peas and potiskum while Oloka showed the lowest length (.37cm). Petiole length of Iron beans showed the highest (2.20cm) while Oloka showed the shortest length (1.49cm). Iron beans and potiskum showed the highest stem length (10cm) and oloka showed the lowest (7.67cm). Pod weight of Ifebrown was highest (3.95g) and Kafanji has the lowest weight (1.36g). Pod length, number of pods per variety, seed colour, number of days to 50% flowering and maturity and number of branches were significantly different among the varieties. Carnonical discriminant  function carried out on the plot based on morphological features showed kafanji, oloka and sokoto guzo to be in one cluster(1) indicating similarity in their morphological features and  potiskum, iron beans, crowther peas and ifebrown in one cluster(2) . The overall data showed significant differences in the phenotypic characteristics of the seven varieties, while similarities in and between the varieties showed close affinity and were more consistent in the genus Vigna.