Taxonomic Study On Manihot Esculenta (Crantz ) And Manihot Glaziovh (Mull . Arg.) Complex In Nigeria:- Nduche, Michael U

ABSTRACT

Anatomical, histochemical, palynological and chemical composition studies were conducted on four varieties of cassava ( NR-8082., NR-8083,NR-82I2, and NR 30572)collected from National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike and another specie M. of systematic interest. Such features include the presence of trichomes in the upper investigated. The shapes of the epidermis cell walls (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 present only in the lower epidermis of the varieties and M. glaziovii). In the root of NR-8082 and found around vascular bundles in midrib of NR-30572, in the cortex of stems of NR-8082 and M. glaziovii. Apart from the pollen of NR-8082, which was oval to reniform 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, toxicants were found to be low in the leaf, stem, tuber and root of M. glazovii compared to the other varieties. Information from this study can further be used to synchronize the speciation of these taxa. It can also be usued for nutritional and medicinal purposes. x glaziovii,collected around Abia State University Uturu, Umuahia Campus. Anatomical studies were carried out on the leaf epidermis of these plants and these revealed features were slightly rectangular to irregular. dominated by passage cells in other plants investigated. Calcium oxalate crystals were NR-8083, the vascular bundles were arranged in rings while the central portions were epidermis of NR-8083 and M. glaziovii which were absent in the other plants trace heavy metals and toxicants ( saponins, alkaloids, HCN and tannins) composition were determined in the leaves, stems, tubers and roots of the plants investigated. The