Variation analysis of six Kenyan Landrace populations of spiderflower

Abstract

Six Kenyan landrace populations of spider flower (Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq) obtained from six locations in Kenya were evaluated to determine the genetic variation in the germplasm. Twenty S1 families derived from each population were planted in three-replicate block design. Data were recorded on Family mean basis for: days to flowering, plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and breadth, fresh and dry leaf weight. The populations exhibited a high level of uniformity. The S1 families within populations were also uniform for most characters, indicating that segregation was not important in creating variation in this species. Variation among populations was significant only for leaf length and dry leaf weight. Fresh leaf weight and dry leaf weight in the population from one location and days to flowing in the population from another location were the only characters with significant (p