Hybrid vigour in some phytochemical and mineral compositions of fresh and air-dried leaves of Gongronema latifolia Benth

摘要

A study was carried out to test for hybrid vigour in some phytochemicals and minerals of five parent plants and the resulting hybrids of Gongronema latifolia. The chemical compositions were determined on the leaves at fresh and air-dried conditions. Under air-dried conditions, most of the chemical components of the leaves were relatively higher compared to their values under fresh condition. This could be as a result of the reduction in moisture and increase in fibre content of the dried samples. Theincrease in chemical composition in some hybrids over the mid-parent and better-parent is an expression of hybrid vigour. However, some hybrids like ENS-08-MBU x AKS-33-EKPENE EDIENE and ENS-08-MBU x ABS-38-AWKA had reduced values when compared to theirmid or better parents. The existence of positive and negative heterosis in the hybrids indicated wide genetic variability which gives room for selection of superior hybrids. For example, the hybrid EBS-15-NKALAGU x IMS-20-NJIABA could be selected because it showed heterosis in phytate and iron levels and such selected hybrid could be perpetuated without fear of segregation as it could be veg-etatively propagated. Such perpetuated hybrid will show vigour indefinitely under good agronomic practice.