ABSTRACT

Anatomical, histochemical, palynological and chemical Composite)n studies Were conducted on four varieties of cassava ( NR-8082., NR-8083,NR-82 12. and NR-30572) collected from National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike and another specie Al. glaziot'zz, collected around Abia State University Uturu, Umuahia Campus. Anatomical studies were carried out on the leaf epidermis of these plants and these revealed l'catures of systematic interest. Such features include the presence of tricliomcs in the upper epidermis of NR-O83 and Al. gkziovii which were absent in the other 11an15 investigated. The shapes of the epidermis cell walls were slightly rectangular to irregular. (Other significant anatomical characters found in the part of the plants investigated include the presence of stomata in the upper and lower epidermis of NR-30572. These stomata were more in the lower epidermis of all the plants, while stomata were preset only in the lower epidermis of the varieties and Al. glaziovii). In the root of NR-8082 and NR-8083, the vascular bundles were arranged in rings while the central portions were dominated by passage cells in other plants investigated. Calcium oxalate crystals were found around vascular bundles in midrib of NR-30572, in the cortex of stems of NR-8082 and Al. glazioi'ii. Apart from the pollen of NR-8082, which was oval to reform in shape, those of the other varieties and M. glaziovii were oval in shape. Mean percentages of proximate content ( ash, crude protein, crude fibre. fat and carbohydrate ). mineral. trace heavy metals and toxicants ( saponins. alkaloids. 1 ICN and tannins) composition were determined in the leaves, sterns, tubers and roots of the Plailts investigated. The toxicants were found to be low in the leaf, stern, tuber and root of Al. giazoiii compared to the other varieties. Information from this study can further be used to synchronize the speciation of these taxa. It can also be used for nutritional and medicinal purposes.