INFLUENCE OF PRODUCTION PRACTICES ON SEED QUALITY OF SPIDERPLANT (Cleome.gynandra L.) ECOTYPES FOUND IN WESTERN KENYA AND EASTERN UGANDA

Abstract

Spiderplant is an African leafy vegetable that has gained popularity in the recent past, it is grown in a wide range of environmental conditions and is a rich source of vitamins A (β-carotene) and C and minerals Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Iron (Fe). This study was done in four sites Sigalagala in Kakamega, Kanduyi in Bungoma, Rubongi in Tororo and Nakalama in Iganga representing four AEZs namely Lower midland (LM) Upper Midland (UM), Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) and Mt. Elgon Farmlands (MEEFLS) in western Kenya and eastern Uganda. Its objective was to enhance understanding of ecological requirements for production and utilization of Spiderplant by determining the genetic makeup, nutritional make up in terms of vitamins and minerals levels and the appropriate on-farm seed production techniques in the four AEZs in western Kenya and eastern Uganda. Genetic analysis was by use of Random Amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) analysis for leaf samples of Spiderplant ecotypes collected from each of the four AEZs. For vitamins and minerals analysis, edible parts of the spiderplant ecotypes were analyzed for vitamins A (β-carotene) C (Ascorbic) and for Minerals Ca, Mg and Iron Fe while the seed quality of spiderplant ecotypes was determined by germination % and electrical conductivity of seeds produced in each of the AEZs. Seed quality of spiderplant ecotypes using different management practices, Nitrogen application, leave harvesting and pod drying was also investigated. The study revealed genetic variations of Spiderplant ecotypes grown in the four AEZ. Variations were also found in the levels of vitamins C and β-carotene and the minerals Ca, Mg and Fe in the spiderplant ecotypes. Seed quality of the spiderplant was found to vary across ecotypes while management practices were also found to affect spiderplant seed quality produced in western Kenya and eastern Uganda. Molecular variation was found to relate to the seed quality, with the more polymorphic ecotypes having higher seed quality than the less polymorphic ones. Ecotypes with higher nutritional quality especially the vitamins were also found to have higher seed quality. In conclusion spiderplant ecotypes grown in western Kenya and eastern Uganda were found to vary in genetic makeup and the nutritional quality and these were found to significantly affect the quality of seeds produced by the ecotypes.