ASSOCIATIONS AMONG AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, AND LEAF AND POD BIOCHEMICAL TRAITS IN CORCHORUS OLITORIUS L

Understanding relationships among agro-morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits is important for Corchorus olitorius L. characterization and improvement. This study investigated trait associations among 13 genotypes, focusing on leaf and pod biochemical characteristics. Thirteen genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with two replications during the 2025-2026 dry season in Lome, Togo. Agro-morphological traits, relative leaf chlorophyll content, and leaf and pod biochemical characteristics were assessed. Spearmans correlations were calculated using genotype means, with Benjamini-Hochberg correction at a 5% false discovery rate. Relative leaf chlorophyll content was negatively correlated with leaf width (? = ?0.791, adjusted P = 0.019). Leaf moisture was positively associated with ash content (? = 0.835, adjusted P = 0.004). Pod moisture was negatively correlated with high heating value (? = ?0.811, adjusted P = 0.008), whereas pod crude fibre showed a positive association (? = 0.804, adjusted P = 0.008).