Phenotypic Variation and Leaf Morphometric Characterization of Locally Recognized Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Types in Hausawa Village, Dawakin Kudu, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) shows substantial phenotypic variation that can be documented through morphological characterization. This study assessed leaf morphometric variation among six farmer-recognized mango types in Hausawa Village, Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria: Binta Siga, Gwaiwar Rago, Mai Sumuti, Kan Biri, Paparanda and Dan Kamaru. Five mature trees were selected per type, and ten mature, fully expanded leaves were collected per tree (N = 300 leaves). Leaf length, leaf breadth, petiole length and estimated leaf area were measured and averaged per tree, so the tree (n = 5 per type) was the experimental unit. Types were compared by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD post-hoc tests; normality and homogeneity of variance were acceptable for all traits. Types differed significantly in all four traits (p < .001; η²ₚ = 0.714–0.992). Binta Siga had the highest and Kan Biri the lowest mean for every trait. Leaf breadth and estimated leaf area separated all six types, Dan Kamaru and Paparanda did not differ in leaf length, and petiole length separated only Binta Siga from the other types and Paparanda from Kan Biri. Principal component and cluster analyses recovered Binta Siga, Kan Biri and Mai Sumuti as distinct groups but did not separate Paparanda from Dan Kamaru. The differences reflect phenotypic variation under local conditions rather than verified genetic differentiation. The study provides quantitative baseline data on local mango germplasm in the Sudan Savanna zone of northern Nigeria.