Diversity Analysis of Cacao (Theobroma Cacao) Genotypes in Nigeria Based on Juvenile Phenotypic Plant Traits

Abstract

Fifteen newly-produced cacao hybrids were evaluated in the field with an objective of understanding their genetic diversity using morphological descriptors. The field trials were conducted in Ibadan (7° 13ʹN, 3° 51ʹE), and Owena (7° 11ʹN, 5° 1ʹE), Nigeria. Juvenile performance data were subjected to ANOVA, Principal Component and Cluster analyses. The first three principal axes accounted for 34.41%, 16.71%, and 14.09% of variation among the plant characters, respectively. Numerical taxonomy showed P2 x P11 as the most distinct. The FASTCLUS technique grouped the genotypes into four clusters, P2 x P11 being the only member of its group. There is significant genetic diversity among the genotypes, while plant height, stem diameter, Cherelle wilt, fruiting, and tree size among others are important discriminatory traits among cacao genotypes.