Study on diversity of foliar trichomes in thirty accessions of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.)

Foliar epidermal features of thirty accessions of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) were studied with the aim of using these features to identify them in the vegetative stage during hybridization experiments. Quantitative and qualitative micromorphological characters, distribution of both glandular and eglandular foliar trichomes in thirty accessions of okra were characterized. An indumentum of variable density and texture formed of wide variety of glandular and eglandular trichomes on both surfaces of leaves. Among the thirty accessions of okra studied, both glandular and eglandular foliar trichomes showed considerable diversity in their qualitative and quantitative micro morphological characters. Diversity of these epidermal appendages is separated into eight main types. Eglandular conical type trichomes were the most abundant on both leaf surfaces of all the accessions examined. Accessions like Pusasawani and IC-117251 could be demarked due to the occurance of stellate trichomes. Forked type was delimited to accessions like Arkaanamika, IC-99746, IC-111514 and IC-111517. These variations in morphology and distribution of the foliar trichomes emerged as an important tool to identify the diverse accessions of okra during breeding programme.