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West african okra — Morphological and cytogenetical indications for the existence of a natural amphidiploid of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench and A. manihot (L.) Medikus

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Summary

Based on a collection of 314 entries of cultivated okra from Ivory Coast, data are presented on the morphology, chromosome numbers and interspecific crossing behaviour of two very distinct okra types. These types have been called provisionally ‘Soudanien’ and ‘Guinéen’.

The ‘Soudanien’ type corresponds to botanical descriptions and previously reported chromosome numbers of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.

The hypothesis is forwarded that the ‘Guinéen’ type, which is gradually replacing the ordinary okra in the humid parts of West Africa, is a natural amphidiploid of Abelmoschus esculentus 2n=130–140 and A. manihot 2n=60–68.

The existing taxonomical classifications at the species level in the genus Abelmoschus are unsatisfactory. Detailed cytogenetical observations on Asian material of okra and related species are likely to provide more examples of the existence of amphidiploids in the genus.

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Siemonsma, J.S. West african okra — Morphological and cytogenetical indications for the existence of a natural amphidiploid of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench and A. manihot (L.) Medikus . Euphytica 31, 241–252 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00028327

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