Who's online

There are currently 1 users online.

Phenotypic Diversity within Ugandan Yam (Dioscorea species) Germplasm Collection

Emmanuel Amponsah Adjei

Emmanuel Amponsah Adjei

View more about Emmanuel Amponsah Adjei

Abstract

A proper understanding of the diversity of the available germplasm is an initial step for the genetic improvement of a crop through breeding. However, there is limited information on the diversity of Uganda’s yam germplasm. &e study sought to characterize the diversity of yam germplasm utilized for decades in Uganda together with germplasm recently introduced from West Africa using phenotypic traits. A germplasm collection of 291 genotypes was characterized using 28 phenotypic traits. Data were subjected to multivariate analysis using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. &e traits assessed were informative and discriminating, with 62% of the total variation explained among the 7rst six principal components. Results showed that the important phenotypic traits contributing to most of the variability among the genotypes were leaves, 8owering, and tuber traits. Ugandan genotypes were identified with amorphous tuber shapes compared to West African genotypes. The study has shown that there is ample phenotypic variability within the major yam genotypes in Uganda yam germplasm that can be used for genetic improvement. More in-depth molecular and biochemical studies to further understand the diversity are recommended.

Year of Publication
2022
Journal
International Journal of Agronomy
Volume
2022
Number of Pages
10
Date Published
December, 2022
Type of Article
Article
Reprint Edition
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-1518551/v1.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5826012