Morphological diversity and identification key for landraces of the Amerindian yam in central Amazon

Abstract

-The objective of this work was to select an optimal set of morphological descriptors, in order to characterize the phenotipical diversity of Amerindian yam (Dioscorea trifida) landraces cultivated in the municipality of Caapiranga, in the central Amazon region of Brazil, and to develop a botanical identification key for them. A collection of 140 accessions and an experimental plot with a representative sample of 20 landraces were used to test 64 morphological descriptors for the aerial and subterranean plant parts. Fortyeight descriptors were selected, of which 13 were for tubers, 12 for stems, 14 for leaves, and 9 for inflorescences and seed. A cluster analysis based on the morphological data showed the formation of two landrace groups with greater similarity: white and purple pulp tubers. The results provide tools for in situ and ex situ conservation and for plant breeding programs, considering the importance of maintaining and recognizing the value of Ameridian yam as an important native genetic resource for food security in the region.

Chapter 14: Amazon in Motion: Changing politics, development strategies, peoples, landscapes, and livelihoods

“…These multi-strata and multi-species systems of natural resource exploitation can incorporate small stock, stagger harvest times, have labor flexibility, engage local fisheries, and cycle materials (Pereira et al 2015;Coomes and Barham 1994;Pinedo-Vasquez et al 2002;Padoch et al 2008;Perrault-Archambault and Coomes 2008;Manzi and Coomes 2009;Coomes et al 2010Coomes et al , 2015Vogt et al 2015Vogt et al , 2016. The different, varied forms of rural, peri-urban, and urban agriculture are important providers of agro-diversity conservation, and other forms of ecosystem services (Padoch and Pinedo-Vasquez 2010;Beyerlein and Pereira 2018). Under-recognized, but increasingly important, are the roles these agroforestry-urban ecosystems play in the larger issue of environmental services support, such as in moderating heat island effects, which are certain to become more severe in the future, or wind and water infiltration (de Souza and Alvala 2014; Fernandez et al 2015;Livesley et al 2016), and, increasingly, food security.…”

Floral phenology, seed germination and hybrid plants of the Amerindian yam (Dioscorea trifida)

“…Seeds were collected from 20 female D. trifida plants of five landraces of the germplasm collection at the experimental farm of the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) located at km 38 of the 60º40W) in the state of Amazonas, northern Brazil. The collection contains 153 accesses obtained in five municipalities of Amazonas state (Caapiranga, Manacapuru, Manaus, Humaitá and Boa Vista do Ramos) (Beyerlein and Pereira 2018). The seeds were stored in paper bags in a laboratory environment at 28 ± 3 o C air temperature and approximately 80% relative air humidity.…”

“…The development of the seedlings was evaluated for nine months by recording 13 morphological descriptors for tubers, 12 for stems and 14 for leaves, as suggested in Beyerlein and Pereira (2018). Sexual expression and seed production of the hybrids were also recorded.…”

Multi-Trait Selection Index for Superior Agronomic and Tuber Quality Traits in Bush Yam (Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.)

“…The application of morphological descriptors has also been used in D. bulbifera [16]. In addition, the genetic diversity among 140 accessions of D. trifida was successfully determined in the municipality of Caapiranga, in the central Amazon region of Brazil, using 64 morphological descriptors [17]. The genetic diversity in D. praehensilis germplasm in Ghana has been less explored, and there is also uncertainty about the applicability of morphological traits to evaluate the genetic diversity in the crop.…”