This study is aimed at a better knowledge of the genetic diversity of H. cannabinus, a
leafy vegetable which is very consumed in Burkina Faso. For this, a molecular
characterization using SSRs microsatellite markers of 70 accessions collected in the
three climatic zones of the country was carried out. The analysis shows significant
genetic diversity among accessions, structured into three genetic groups. Indeed, 17 of
the 20 markers tested were polymorphic. Expected unbiased heterozygosity ranged
from 0.131 for marker MJM566 to 0.435 for marker MJM606 with an average of 0.309
for all primers. The Shannon diversity index (I) ranges from 1.552 for the primer
MJM566 to 5.008 for the primer MJM606 with an average of 3.73 for all the primers
tested. The organization of this genetic diversity is strongly influenced by the genetic
group factor with a value of the differentiation index Fst of 0.324.

Burkina Faso Diversity index Genetic parameters Hibiscus cannabinus