Hybridization and Seed Germination of Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) in Nigeria

Abstract

Declining yields of local taro cultivars, worsened in recent years by outbreak of taro leaf blight (TLB), necessitate the development of varieties that combine TLB resistance with high yield and quality. The objective of the experiment was to obtain viable true taro seeds (TTS), the lack of which has hindered local breeding effort to improve taro. Fifteen exotic cultivars of taro, obtained from International Network on Edible Aroids (INEA) as part of an EU-funded project on "Adapting Clonally Propagated Crops to Climatic and Commercial Change," and four local cultivars constituted the crossing block at Umudike (5 • 24 to 5 • 30 N; 7 • 31 to 7 • 37 E) in south eastern Nigeria in 2013. One hundred and nine crosses were made, of which 18.3% were successful, but only infructescence from nine crosses developed to maturity and produced seeds. Germination of these TTS started on the 7th day after sowing. Seedlings that developed from these seeds were transplanted into small bags filled with sterilized peat mixed with vermiculite. Each plant is expected to be genetically different from all others and could be a potentially improved cultivar. This is the first report of successful hybridization, production of TTS, and development of seedlings from true seed of taro in Nigeria.

DArTSeq SNP-based genetic diversity and population structure studies among taro [(Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] accessions sourced from Nigeria and Vanuatu

“…Taro is staple food [ 4 ] and regularly consumed as a main component or as soup thickener in the south eastern parts of Nigeria [ 5 ]. Primarily taro is grown for its starchy corm [ 6 ] and rarely leaves, petioles and inflorescences are also edible [ 1 ].…”

“…For many years, taro has been maintained by farmers and its genetic resources have remained largely under the control of local communities. It is produced by small scale farmers [ 4 ] and its commercial importance is also largely local. This implies that farmers have been the main users and custodians of taro genetic diversity with constant selection for their traits of preference.…”

Systematic Review on Farmers’ Perceptions, Preferences and Utilization Patterns of Taro [<i>Colocasia esculenta</i> (L.) Scott] for Food and Nutrition Security in Nigeria

“…Taro is a staple food, mainly for resource-poor rural inhabitants [4], and is regularly consumed as a main component or as a soup thickener in the south-eastern parts of Nigeria [5]. Primarily, taro is grown for its starchy corm [6] and sometimes the leaves, petioles and inflorescences are also edible [1].…”

“…Thus, farmers have maintained taro for many years, and taro genetic resources have largely remained under the control of local communities. It is grown by small-scale farmers [4], and its commercial significance is primarily local. This implies that farmers have been the primary users and guardians of taro genetic diversity.…”

Fortification of sweet potato progenies for enhanced root dry matter and micro-nutrient density through genetic recombination

“…Limited breeding technologies also contributed to the limited accelerated breeding of sweet potato crops unlike cassava and other clonal propagated crops. Declining yields caused by declining soil fertility, pest such as weevil and diseases like sweet potato virus diseases has led to the continuous search and the development of varieties that combine disease resistance with high root yield and culinary quality as reported by Amadi et al (2015). Various methods have been employed in sweet potato improvement.…”