Molecular and agro-morphological evaluations of interspecific hybridisation in two wild yams (Dioscorea spp.) for genetic improvement

Q3 Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Ecological Genetics and Genomics Pub Date : 2025-03-26 DOI:10.1016/j.egg.2025.100345

F.P. Oyedoyin , O.J. Olawuyi , P.A. Agre , Asrat Asfaw

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is an essential food crop particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. As breeders struggle to meet the rising demand for high-yielding and quality yam, hybridising underutilised wild species presents a promising solution. This study therefore investigated the potentials of hybridising two wild yam species, Dioscorea abyssinica and Dioscorea praehensilis known for their resilience and genetic potential as ancestors of the cultivated West African yam, Dioscorea rotundata, using hand-pollination method. Hybridity was assessed with eight sub-sets of Kompetitive allele-specific markers, and the progenies were evaluated morphologically using standard descriptors. Markers detected heterozygosity in 65 (92.9 %) of 70 progenies, confirming successful hybridisation. Significant (p < 0.05) variation was observed in growth and yield traits, with TDabp2101048, TDabp2101010, and TDabp2101068 excelling in stem length (348.91 cm), internode length (23.36 cm), and vigour (5.85) respectively. The highest tuber length (42.91 cm), tuber weight (1.14 kg) and number of tubers (4) were produced by TDabp2101052, TDabp2101046 and TDabp2101054, respectively. Progenies showed comparable traits to D. rotundata, indicating high genetic compatibility. These findings suggest putative potential for selecting superior genotypes, improving yam breeding programs through genetic diversity, enhancing crop resilience and productivity.

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来源期刊

Ecological Genetics and Genomics Agricultural and Biological Sciences-Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

CiteScore

1.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Ecological Genetics and Genomics publishes ecological studies of broad interest that provide significant insight into ecological interactions or/ and species diversification. New data in these areas are published as research papers, or methods and resource reports that provide novel information on technologies or tools that will be of interest to a broad readership. Complete data sets are shared where appropriate. The journal also provides Reviews, and Perspectives articles, which present commentary on the latest advances published both here and elsewhere, placing such progress in its broader biological context. Topics include: -metagenomics -population genetics/genomics -evolutionary ecology -conservation and molecular adaptation -speciation genetics -environmental and marine genomics -ecological simulation -genomic divergence of organisms