Effects of Colchicine-Induced Polyploidy on the Nutritional Composition of Selected Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Varieties

Abstract

Okra is a nutritionally important vegetable. There is limited information on the effect of colchicine on the nutritional composition of okra varieties. This study aimed to determine the varying concentration of colchicine on the nutritional composition of selected okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) varieties' capsules. Materials and Methods:  Okra seeds were treated with five different concentrations of colchicine (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0mM) for five hours. Seeds were washed and air dried for 24 hours, and then sown in a Completely Randomised Design with three replications in polythene bags and then raised to the maturity stage. Fresh okra capsules of each variety were harvested from varying concentrations of colchicine, and they were processed into fine powder. Mineral elements and proximate composition were determined using standard procedures. Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was applied to separate the means. Results: Colchicine (0.1mM) treatment significantly (p≤0.05) increased mineral elements of capsules (P:20527.67mg/kg, Ca: 4632.81mg/kg, Mg: 2996.72mg/kg, Na: 5733.33 mg/kg and Fe: 847.27 mg/kg) and proximate composition except carbohydrate. Clemson Spinless recorded the highest Mg (12,680.39 mg/kg), Na (10,881.33 mg/kg), Zn (27.43 mg/kg), crude protein (24.51%) and carbohydrate (44.83%). Yar’Balla had the highest P content (3,376.56 mg/kg), Ash content (7.55%) and Crude fibre (19.38%). While Yar’Sumaila recorded the highest Ca (4,260.90 mg/kg), K (32,307.33 mg/kg), Fe (964.80 mg/kg), moisture (3.72%), and crude lipid content (8.20%). Conclusion:  The study demonstrated that colchicine-induced variation can improve mineral (P, Ca, Mg, Na, and Fe) and all proximate parameters except carbohydrate.