Dataset on the qualitative characteristics of roselle varieties (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Abstract

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a worldwide known species of great importance due to its medicinal properties and pleasant flavor. In Paraguay, it is used as an alternative crop by family-run farmers; however, the varieties used in the country are unknown, so no information is available on this crop. The qualitative characterization would collect knowledge serving as a basis for the registration of varieties produced in Paraguay. In addition, such data are useful for future genetic improvement programs considering this crop. The present work was carried out at the Multidisciplinary Center for Technological Research and the experimental farmland of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the National University of Asuncion, during the years 2022 and 2023. The main objective was to carry out a morphological characterization of four Roselle varieties: Ana Delia, Benito, Dogo, and Creole. The design consisted of completely randomized blocks, with four treatments (varieties) and four replications; each experimental unit (block) was composed of 24 plants, distributed in four rows; 12 plants, selected from the central rows, were harvested for the evaluations. Stem color, leaf shape, leaf margin, rib color, petiole color, flower color, calyx color, calyx sepal opening, capsule shape, capsule color, capsule anthocyanin coloration, and pubescence level were evaluated. The results demonstrate qualitative differences between the varieties, which help to compare and classify them for a better variety selection.

Specifications Table

Subject	Agricultural Science
Specific subject area	Crop classification
Data format	jpg
Type of data	Image
Data collection	In collaboration with a team of researchers from the National University of Asunción (Paraguay) and the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (Cuba), the evaluation of four varieties of roselle cultivated in the experimental farmland of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the National University of Asuncion, cycle 22/2023 was carried out.
Data source location	Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Centro Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Campus UNA, San Lorenzo, Central, Paraguay: https://cemit.una.py/
Data accessibility	Raw data in the Mendely repository: https://data.mendeley.com/datasets/p4y4yc97rm/1 Data available in this publication.

1. Value of the Data

• •The data provide information on Hibiscus sabdariffa considering the varieties Benito, Dogo, Ana Delia, and Creole.
• •The presented data provide results from a series of field and laboratory trials on the phenotypic behavior of four varieties, which can serve as a basis for further studies to understand the behavior of the crop in this region.
• •The data provide information to promote the use of this species. Physical characteristics such as shape, color, texture, and external color are commonly decisive for consumers when choosing a variety.

2. Background

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) belongs to the family Malvaceae; it is a shrubby annual species of Hibiscus and occurs in many tropical and subtropical countries [1]. It is cultivated mainly for its calyxes [2]. The calyx is rich in flavor, a rich source of micronutrients (vitamin C, B1, and B2), and contains colorants (anthocyanins) [3]. In addition, leaves, seeds, fruits, and roots are used in the healthcare and food industry. Despite the multiple uses of rosella, there is limited information on the traits of genotypes for roselle cultivation [4]. The varieties used in South America are mostly unknown, so no accurate information is available about this crop. A qualitative characterization would collect knowledge serving as a basis for the registration of varieties produced in Paraguay. Furthermore, these data are useful for future genetic improvement programs considering this crop. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the phenotypic behavior of four roselle varieties to characterize the crop in this region of South America as a basis for the selection of important features, useful for the implementation of genetic improvement programs considering this species.

3. Data Description

3.1. Leaf

3.1.1. Upper, middle, and lower stratum leaf shape

Fig. 1 gives an overview of the leaf characteristics:

Fig. 1.

Leaf shapes of the different varieties.

Ana Delia has leaves in the upper and intermediate stratum with a very lobed shape, while in the lower stratum, the leaves are heart-shaped.

For the Benito and Dogo varieties, the shape of the leaves of the upper stratum is very lobed, while for Dogo, the shape of the upper leaves is oval. The intermediate leaves in both varieties are very lobed as for the Ana Delia variety, while the leaves of the lower stratum are heart-shaped.

The Creole variety presents leaves of the upper stratum with oval shape, while the leaves of the intermediate stratum are slightly lobed and the leaves of the lower stratum are very lobed, thus differing from the other varieties described above.

3.1.2. Upper, middle, and lower stratum leaf edges

Regarding the upper, intermediate, and lower leaf edges of the various Roselle varieties, all of them showed serrated leaf edges.

2.1.3. Coloration of upper, middle, and lower stratum leaf ribs

For the Ana Delia variety, the coloration of the ribbing of the upper, intermediate, and lower leaves was green; however, the Benito and Dogo varieties showed purple coloration in the ribbing of the upper, intermediate and lower leaves.

On the other hand, the Creole variety showed red coloration of the ribs of the upper and intermediate leaves. However, the leaves of the lower stratum showed purple coloration, varying the coloration in the strata of the same plant.

3.1.4. Coloration of the petiole of the upper, intermediate, and lower stratum leaves

Considering the Ana Delia variety, the petiole of the leaves of the upper, intermediate, and lower stratum presented a reddish green coloration; the Benito variety presented a dark wine red coloration in the upper part, while in the intermediate and lower part, they presented a light wine red coloration.

For the Dogo variety, the petiole of the leaves of the upper and lower stratum showed a reddish green coloration, while the leaves of the intermediate stratum showed a light wine-red coloration.

3.2. Stem

3.2.1. Stem color

The stem color (Fig. 2) of the Ana Delia variety showed a reddish green coloration, while the Benito and Dogo varieties showed a dark wine coloration; on the other hand, the Creole variety showed a light wine red coloration, which differs from the mutant varieties.

Fig. 2.

Characteristics of the stems of the different varieties.

3.3. Flower

3.3.1. Petal coloration

According to the descriptors used, the colorations (Fig. 3) varied from white, pink, and yellow. Ana Delia showed yellow petals, while the other varieties, Benito, Dogo, and Creole, showed pink petals.

Fig. 3.

Characteristics of the flowers of the different varieties.

3.4. Capsule

3.4.1. Capsule shape

The capsules (Fig. 4) of the mutant varieties Ana Delia, Benito, and Dogo present a rounded shape, while the shape of the Creole variety is of an ovoid-like type.

Fig. 4.

Characteristics of the capsules of the different varieties.

3.4.2. Coloration and presence of anthocyanins in capsules

The capsules of the Ana Delia variety showed a completely green coloration, absent of any anthocyanin coloration; on the other hand, for the Benito and Dogo varieties, the coloration of the capsules was green with pigmentation in the upper part, due to the strong presence of anthocyanins. Contrary to this, the capsules of the Creole variety are completely pigmented, showing a very strong coloration due to the presence of anthocyanins.

3.4.3. Pubescence of roselle capsules

The levels of pubescence in the fruit capsules were classified as scarce, medium, abundant, and very abundant. The genetically improved varieties Ana Delia, Benito, and Dogo show abundant pubescence of their capsules, while for the Creole variety pubescence is very abundant.

3.5. Calyx

3.5.1. Color and calyx opening

The calyxes (Fig. 5) of the Ana Delia variety presented a reddish coloration and the calyx openings were closed. On the other hand, for the Benito and Dogo varieties, the coloration of the calyxes was purple and the opening was medium, The Creole variety presented a dark red coloration and a semi-open opening.

Fig. 5.

Characteristics of the calyxes of the different varieties.

Table 1 shows a summary of the morphological characteristics evaluated for the 4 different rosella varieties.

Table 1.

Summary of the morphological characteristics of the 4 rosella varieties.

Variety	Upper leaf shape	Intermediate leaf shape	Lower leaf shapes	Upper color of ribs	Intermediate color of ribs	Lower color of ribs	Upper color of petiole	Intermediate color of petiole	Lower color of petiole	Upper sheet margins	Intermediate sheet margins	Lower sheet margins	Stem color	Flower color	Calyx color	Calyx sepal opening	Capsule shape	Capsule color	Coloration by anthocyanins of the capsule	Level of capsule pubescence
Ana Delia	Very lobed	Very lobed	Heart-shaped	Green	Green	Green	Reddish green	Reddish green	Reddish green	Serrated	Serrated	Serrated	Reddish green	Yellow	red	closed	Round	Green	Absent	Abundant
Benito	Very lobed	Very lobed	Heart-shaped	Purple	Purple	Purple	Dark wine red	Light wine red	Light wine red	Serrated	Serrated	Serrated	Dark wine red	Pink	Purple	Medium	Round	Green at the base and pigmented at the top	Strong	Abundant
Dogo	Ovate	Very lobed	Heart-shaped	Red	Red	Purple	Reddish green	Light wine red	Reddish green	Serrated	Serrated	Serrated	Dark wine red	Pink	Purple	Medium	Round	Green at the base and pigmented at the top	Strong	Abundant
Creole	Ovate	Very lobed	Very lobed	Purple	Purple	Purple	Dark wine red	Light wine red	Light wine red	Serrated	Serrated	Serrated	Light wine red	Pink	Dark red	Semi-closed	Ovoid	completely pigmented	Very stron	Very abundant

4. Experimental Design, Materials, and Methods

4.1. Description of the varieties

4.1.1. Dogo

Mutant variety obtained from the Yerzy variety, which is a variety used by producers in Mexico. The seeds were irradiated with Co60 gamma rays (100 Gy) at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA) - Cuba. From the M2 generation, the selection of individual plants that presented greater productive potential and variations in some characters was carried out [5].

4.1.2. Ana delia

Equally obtained from the parental Yerzy, however, the seeds were irradiated with CO260 gamma rays (150 Gy). From the M2 generation it was possible to identify a plant that differed from the donor variety in the cycle, leaf shape, and color of leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits [5].

4.1.3. Benito

Seeds of the variety Yerzy were irradiated with Co60 gamma rays (100 to 700 Gy) and from the M2 generation, the selection of individual plants that showed the greatest productive potential under conditions of low water supply was carried out.

4.1.4. Creole

Material of unknown origin introduced into the country; the seeds were obtained from the farm of a producer in the department of Cordillera, Paraguay.

4.2. Description of seed preparation

4.2.1. Sowing

Roselle seeds of all varieties (all seeds have 95 %> germination characteristics 7 days after sowing) were sown in 15 × 15 cm wide polyethylene pots (100 pots of each variety). A standard commercial substrate composed of 12.46 % Molybdenum, 0.61 % Calcium, and 0.38 % Magnesium was used, with a moisture content of 60 % and a water retention capacity of 150 %. Sowing was done manually by placing two seeds in each pot, at a depth of 2 cm. Seedlings were watered once a day. The pots were kept under half shade to protect the plants until transplanting.

4.2.2. Transplanting seedlings into farmland

30 days after sowing, the seedlings were transplanted (when the plants were 15 cm tall and had approximately 10 leaves). Of each variety, 96 seedlings were randomly selected (24 seedlings per replicate, 4 replications) totaling 384 transplanted seedlings for the entire farmland trial. Transplanting was carried out into holes with a depth of 15 cm, a planting distance of 1 m between rows, as well as 1 m between plants.

4.3. Experimental design and data treatment

The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications, totaling 16 experimental units (Fig. 6). Each experimental unit (EU) consisted of 24 plants (Fig. 7), arranged in four rows, and each row consisted of six plants. For the determination of the parameters, a useful area was determined, which corresponded to two central rows of which 12 plants per replicate were evaluated, totaling 48 plants per variety.

Fig. 6.

Distribution of treatments on the experimental farmland.

Fig. 7.

Plants included for evaluation.

4.4. Location and period of the farmland trial

The trial was carried out at the Experimental Farmland of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the National University of Asuncion, San Lorenzo Campus, Central, Paraguay, with the following coordinates: 25°19′35″ south latitude, 57°31′13″ west longitude and an altitude of 125 m above the sea level, during the period from October 2022 to June 2023. The trial farmland is located in a region with an average annual rainfall of 1000 to 1300 mm, and a mean annual temperature of 23 °C. The soil is characterized by a sandy loam texture corresponding to the Rhodyc Paleudalf soil classification.

4.5. Cultural care

All weeds were controlled manually, with the help of a weed hoe (at a frequency of 30 days), in order to avoid weed competition. For phytosanitary control of pests and diseases, insecticides and fungicides were used as needed. The insecticide imidacloprid was applied once a month due to ant attacks. The plants were watered manually with a watering can, twice a week, until the plants were well established in the field. Fertilization was carried out according to the results of the soil analysis, fertilizer 15–15–15 was applied 30 days after transplanting into farmland (open furrows 10 to 12 cm deep at 15 cm distance from the plant). Regarding the farmland, the necessary care was provided for the good development of the crop.

4.6. Variables evaluated

Morphological characters were evaluated qualitatively for roselle varieties using the descriptors of González [5]; Ramírez et al. [6] and Hernández [7]. Table 2 summarizes the description of each morphological parameter evaluated.

Table 2.

Parameters evaluated during farmland work.

Variable	Description	Reference
Stem color	a) green; b) reddish green; c) red; d) light wine red; e) dark wine red	[5,6,7]
Upper color of ribs	a) green; b) red; c) purple	[5,7]
Intermediate color of ribs	a) green; b) red; c) purple	[5,7]
Lower color of ribs	a) green; b) red; c) purple	[5,7]
Upper sheet margins	a) smooth; b) serrated; c) acute	[5,6,7]
Intermediate sheet margins	a) smooth; b) serrated; c) acute	[5,7]
Lower sheet margins	a) smooth; b) serrated; c) acute	[5,6,7]
Upper color of petiole	a) green; b) reddish green; c) red; d) light wine red; e) dark wine red	[5]
Intermediate color of petiole	a) green; b) reddish green; c) red; d) light wine red; e) dark wine red	[5]
Lower color of petiole	a) green; b) reddish green; c) red; d) light wine red; e) dark wine red	[5]
Calyx color	a) purple; b) red; c) dark red	[5,6,7]
Flower color	a) white; b): pink; c) yellow	[5,6,7]
Capsule shape	a) round; b) ovoid	[5,7]
Calyx sepal opening	a) closed; b) semi-closed; c) medium; d) open	[5,6,7]
Capsule color	a) capsulereen; b) capsule green at the base and pigmented at the top; c) capsule completely pigmented	[5,7]
Coloration by anthocyanins of the capsule	a) absent; b) weak; c) medium; d) strong; e) very stron	[5,7]
Level of capsule pubescence	scarce, medium, abundant, very abundant	[5,7]
Upper leaf shape	a) non-lobed; b) slightly lobed; c) very lobed; d) ovate; e) heart-shaped	[5,7]
Intermediate leaf shape	a) non-lobed; b) slightly lobed; c) very lobed; d) ovate; e) heart-shaped	[5,7]
Lower leaf shapes	a) non-lobed; b) slightly lobed; c) very lobed; d) ovate; e) heart-shaped	[5,7]

4.7. Data analysis

For the aforementioned qualitative variables, a descriptive analysis was performed, where they were compared and expressed in percentages in order to verify the dominant characteristic of each variety.

Limitations

Some limitations might occur when replicating this research with the same varieties due to environmental conditions, which could be different from those presented in the present study and could cause morphological features different from those obtained in the present research.

Ethics Statement

The current work does not involve human subjects, animal experiments or any data collected from social media platforms.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Pablo C. Caballero: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Software, Data curation, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft. Cipriano R. Enciso Garay: Investigation, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing. Guillermina Macchi L．: Investigation, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing. Héctor D. Nakayama: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Software, Data curation, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft. Ma. Caridad González C．: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Validation, Visualization. Victoria Rossmary Santacruz O．: Validation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing. Isaura Cantero G．: Validation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing. Andreas Ríes: Visualization, Writing – review & editing, Software. Antonio Samudio Oggero: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Software, Data curation, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft.

Data Availability

• Qualitatives variable roselle (Original data) (Mendeley Data).