Aibika (Abelmoschus manihot) Germplasm in Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

Aibika, Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medikus, is a very important traditional leafy vegetable commonly grown throughout Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Pacific Island Nations. Observations on the current germplasm collection at Laloki Agricultural Research Station (LARS) indicate a wide range of variations in its morphological and other characteristics. This suggests that PNG is an important centre of diversity for this species. A field germplasm of 112 accessions of Aibika is housed at LARS. Morphologicaldescription was conducted using the International Board of Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) descriptor list with some modifications. Documentation of the germplasm is discussed.