Farmers’ perceptions on varietal diversity, trait preferences and diversity management of bush yam (Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.) in Ghana

Exploring the Bush yam (Dioscorea praehensilis Benth) as a Source of Agronomic and Quality Trait Genes in White Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) Breeding

“…Currently, the yield of the white Guinea yam is ~20% of its attainable yield (40 t ha −1 ) [4,33] and the bush yam could be explored in bridging this yield gap. The high yield of D. praehensilis in this study corroborates the findings by [21,22], who reported high yields in D. praehensilis after the participatory rural appraisal survey in Togo and Ghana, respectively. Wild yam relatives have also been reported to produce higher yields when compared to the cultivated varieties [31].…”

“…The D. rotundata local varieties showed better performance in tuber quality attributes (dry matter content, tuber flesh oxidation, and tuber hardness) than the D. praehensilis genotypes; although, some D. praehensilis genotypes also recorded comparable tuber quality attributes. The poor tuber quality attributes of D. praehensilis have been reported as the major hindrance associated with its disappearance (genetic erosion) from agro systems in Ghana [22]. White yam breeders should, therefore, look for alternative sources of genes for these quality traits.…”

“…Bush yam (D. praehensilis) is an edible semi-cultivated wild yam species, utilized primarily for filling the hunger gaps in lean seasons among the local farmers in the forest zones of West African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and Togo [21,22]. This species has a high yield potential, tolerance to insect pests and diseases, longer in-soil storage aptitude, and ability to flower and set fruits profusely [22]. In addition, spontaneous and controlled hybridizations of this species with the white Guinea yam have been reported in West Africa [12,23].…”

Diversity of Water Yam (Dioscorea alata L.) Accessions from Côte d’Ivoire Based on SNP Markers and Agronomic Traits

“…Yam production has mainly relied on the rapid increase in cultivated acreage rather than increased productivity per unit area, a farming system that encourages deforestation and degradation of natural resources [16]. For the conservation of natural reserves, such as forests and savannah, and sustainable management of yam genetic resources, there is a need to provide farmers with improved varieties from diverse genetic backgrounds that combine high yields with pest and disease resistance and acceptable tuber quality [17]. Such an approach requires a thorough understanding of the genetic diversity within the existing germplasm for the effective selection of parental clones for hybridization [18].…”

“…Phylogenetic relationships of water yam in Côte d'Ivoire have not been well established among yam accessions because of limited morphological markers and flow of planting materials across areas (as a result of trade and informal exchange of planting materials) [9]. Consequently, several cultivars that have the same names or different names are allocated to a single cultivar, depending on local languages (ethnic groups) and locations [17]. As earlier stated, the assessment of the pattern of genetic variability within the existing yam germplasm will be essential to identify genotypes possessing genes/traits of interest and that can be rationally used to develop new varieties [19].…”