Experimental studies on some observed variations in Luffa aegyptiaca

Abstract

The causes of some observed variations in plant size and leaf morphology of populations of Luffa aegyptiaca were investigated experimentally. The effects of soil type, soil salinity, soil moisture content, and mineral nutrients on the germination and growth of this species were examined. The results indicate that variations in size and leaf morphology between the population groups earlier described probably were caused by variations in soil type and soil nutrients. Nitrate was responsible for variation in leaf colour, potassium for leaf invagination, and phosphorus and nitrate together for leaf texture. Nitrate also played a major role in the variation in leaf size while calcium played a subsidiary role. Within a single population, variations would possibly also be caused by differences in soil conditions, principally humus content, soil moisture content, and salinity. The wide adaptability exhibited by this species also helps to explain its distribution on a wide range of soils.