Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Histo-anatomical studies on induced water stress with virus infection on xylem tissues of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) cultivars
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Ayeh Kwadwo Owusu, Amadu Ayisha Marfo, Poku Samuel Aduse, Asamoah Frederick Karikari, Elegba Wilfred, Azu Elaine, Nunekpeku Wonder, Appiah Andrews Sarkodie, Azu Elaine, Azu Elaine
Research Articles | Published: 04 July, 2026
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Keywords: Water stress, Morphology, Histo-analytical, Xylem, Vascular bundle
Abstract
Human-induced climate change and its associated drought will continue to reduce crop productivity causing food insecurity. Thus, the effect of drought on economically important food crops is worth studying. We therefore studied the effect of water stress with or without virus infection on three okra cultivars using morphological and histo-anatomical examinations of xylem tissues. Plants inoculated with viruses were subjected to normal watering, moderate watering and severe drought; non-virus inoculated plants served as controls. Leaf tissues of virus-treated, and non-treated plants were prepared for histo-anatomical studies. After pretreatment preparations, thin sections (5 µm) of the embedded leaf tissues were cut using a microtome, stained with haematoxylin and micrographed using a bright field microscope. Leaves of water stressed plants showed varying morphological effects ranging from drooping to reduced leaf size. The histo-analytical examination revealed that water stress significantly (P < 0.001, F = 47.15) decreased the size of the xylem tissues in all three cultivars compared to the controls. The size of the xylem was further decreased when the leaves were inoculated with the virus. The size of ‘Rafiki’ and ‘Essoumtem’ xylem tissues indicates that they were least sensitive to the water stress applied and could be considered drought-tolerant cultivars for use in okra improvement programmes.
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Author Information
Department of Plant and Environmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana-Legon, Legon, Ghana