engleski

Flowering characteristics of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) ecotypes from Croatia

Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) is a traditional plant species grown in the coastal area of Croatia. Traditional local ecotypes are kept by farmers and represent a source of valuable genetic material. The kale seeds were obtained during 2017-2018 by farmers from different regions of Croatia (Istria, central and southern Dalmatia). For this study thirty-two local ecotypes were planted with the aim to determine the variability of flowering characteristics. Kale plants were grown in the field of the Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Poreč, Croatia under the same agro-ecological conditions during vegetative season 2019/2020. Flowering stage of plants development was described by IBPGR descriptor for Brassica and Raphanus species. Grades have been assigned to morphological data according to descriptor and median, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were calculated. The Principal component analysis was used to detect the characteristics that are the most important to distinguish the accessions. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using Gower´s method as a clustering algorithm in PAST software. A significant variability in the morphological characteristics has been identified. Cluster analysis classified ecotypes in three main segregated groups and six smaller groups each containing only one abbreviation. Ecotypes that formed groups were also geographically close, and that confirms the importance of environmental interaction.

kale ; Brassica oleracea var. acephala ; flower ; morphology

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