Characterisation of spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) accessions for drought tolerance traits

Abstract

Background: Spider plant, a nutrient-rich native leafy vegetable that grows in marginal environments, can be vital in preventing malnutrition and supporting sustainable livelihoods. Despite this, knowledge about the crop is lacking, especially on its drought tolerance and genetic variation, which hinders the crop breeding efforts. Aim: To evaluate diverse spider plant genotypes for growth, yield and response to drought to identify tolerant and sensitive genotypes. Setting: Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) in the drought screening greenhouse located in Gaborone, Botswana. Methods: A factorial split-plot design trial involving 25 African and Asian spider plant genotypes under well-watered and drought stress conditions was undertaken. Growth, yield and photosynthetic performance were measured, and drought tolerance indices, principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were used to identify tolerant and sensitive genotypes. Results: Significant variation in growth, yield and physiological responses was observed among the 25 genotypes, with drought tolerance being highest in ODS15061, ODS15103 and ODS15044, while susceptible genotypes were BUAN1, BC02B and ODS15019. Conclusion: The study reports the genetic diversity of spider plant genotypes and their potential for drought tolerance breeding. This will enhance spider plant resilience and sustainability in low rainfall production areas and thereby address food security challenges. Contribution: The selected genotypes based on drought tolerance can further be used in multi-location field studies before being released for production in low rainfall areas. Furthermore, similar approaches can be applied for drought tolerance selection of other leafy vegetables.