Collection and Morphological Characterization of Local Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Genotypes in Northern Cyprus

Abstract

This study was conducted to collect local Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) genotypes belonging to Malvaceae (Mallow) family in the Northern Cyprus and morphological characterization of this collected material. On the other hand, due to the limited studies on collection and morphological characterization, which are the first step of breeding; the genetic potential of the local okra genotypes of Northern Cyprus has not been determined before. This research was carried out in two stages as the collection and morphological characterization of genotypes. In the first stage of the study, it was aimed to collect local okra genotypes and a total of 58 different locations were reached in line with this target and 24 samples of okra genotypes were collected from these areas. In the second year of the study, morphological characterization studies of 24 okra genotypes from the collected genetic material were carried out according to UPOV and IPGR criteria. As a result of morphological characterization showed that 24 okra genotypes can be categorized under 6 different groups. The regenerated seeds of these 6 different genotypes were preserved. In conclusion, although morphological characterization analyses performed in this study are the methods used to differentiate new species from each other, but it will be insufficient alone. Therefore, it is concluded that this method will be used in coordination with molecular characterization studies to provide more reliable results.