African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Full Length Research Paper

Genetic variability of yam based on quantitative descriptors

Virgílio Carménia Cossa
  • Virgílio Carménia Cossa
  • Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia (UFRB), Center of Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rua Rui Barbosa 710, ZIP Code 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil.
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Elaine Costa Cerqueira-Pereira
  • Elaine Costa Cerqueira-Pereira
  • Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia (UFRB), Center of Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rua Rui Barbosa 710, ZIP Code 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Darcilúcia Oliveira do Carmo de Almeida
  • Darcilúcia Oliveira do Carmo de Almeida
  • Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia (UFRB), Center of Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rua Rui Barbosa 710, ZIP Code 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil.
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Carlos Alberto da Silva Ledo
  • Carlos Alberto da Silva Ledo
  • EMBRAPA Cassava and Fruits, P. O. Box, 007, ZIP Code 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Ricardo Franco Cunha Moreira
  • Ricardo Franco Cunha Moreira
  • Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia (UFRB), Center of Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rua Rui Barbosa 710, ZIP Code 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 16 February 2018
  •  Accepted: 13 March 2018
  •  Published: 25 July 2019

Abstract

Yam is a promising income source for small producers in the Recôncavo Baiano region. However, few genetic studies have been conducted with this culture. In this sense, the aim of this study was to assess genetic variability among 89 genotypes of yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) collected in four municipalities in Bahia State, Brazil. These were assessed based on eight quantitative descriptors. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank correlation, Singh criterion, cluster analysis, principal component analysis and dispersion graph. The tuber weight showed the highest coefficient of variation and correlated positively and significantly with width and length of tuber. The tuber length characteristics contributed most to the genetic divergence. The criterion pseudo-t2 divided 89 genotypes into seven groups, being that groups 4, 5 and 7 showed the highest averages for the production characteristics. The first three principal components explained 69.49% variation and dispersion graph showed partly concordant with UPGMA method. This study revealed the existence of genetic variability of yam, which may be explored in future genetic improvement programs.

Key words: Dioscorea rotundata Poir., multivariate methods, plant genetic resources, plant breeding.