GENETIC VARIABILITY AND MULTI-TRAIT SELECTION FOR SUPERIOR TRAITS IN WILD YAM HYBRIDS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0903-3243Keywords:
Dioscore spp., hybrid, genetic variability, heritability estimate, MGIDI indexAbstract
The interspecific breeding of yams (Dioscorea spp.) for superior traits is hindered by the dioecious nature of their flowers and low flowering frequency, despite the potential of wild yams to improve related cultivated varieties. However, the genetic variability of these wild yam species has yet to be fully explored. This study investigated the genetic variability and heritability estimates for multi-trait selection of hybrids derived from crosses between two wild yam species, Dioscorea abyssinica and Dioscorea praehensilis. Field experiment was conducted on 65 hybrids using a partially replicated block design. With standard descriptors, data were collected on phenotypic traits, including stem length, internode, plant vigour, tuber length, tuber weight, tuber width, tuber thorniness, and tuber surface cracks. Heritability, genetic advance and variance components were estimated to quantify the genetic contribution to trait variability. Analysis of variance identified significant differences (p=0.00) among hybrids and high genetic variability was observed in phenotypic traits assessed, with tuber weight showing the highest genotypic (104%) and phenotypic (127%) variances. Heritability estimates suggested strong selection potential for stem length (74%), tuber weight (67%) and tuber hairiness (65%), while tuber shape (7%) and tuber width (9%) showed low genetic potential. Multi-trait Genotype Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) analysis further identified 8 high-performing wild yam hybrid accessions (TDabp2101010, TDabp2101013, TDabp2101030, TDabp2101042, TDabp2101046, TDabp2101050, TDabp2101052, and TDabp2101055). These findings demonstrate the potential of wild yam hybrids for trait introgression, thereby paving way for the development of new yam cultivars and providing valuable insights for yam improvement programs.
References
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Darkwa, K., Agre, P., Olasanmi, B., Iseki, K., Matsumoto, R., Powell, A., ... & Asfaw, A. (2020). Comparative assessment of genetic diversity matrices and clustering methods in white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) based on morphological and molecular markers. Scientific reports, 10(1), 13191.
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Obidiegwu, J. E., Lyons, J. B., & Chilaka, C. A. (2020). The Dioscorea Genus (Yam)An appraisal of nutritional and therapeutic potentials. Foods, 9(9), 1304.
Olawuyi, O. J., & Ajie, V. I. (2023). Diverse morphological and molecular patterns of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Linn.) accessions. Plant Gene, 34, 100423.
Olawuyi, O. J., Kariunwi, O. F., & Akanmu, A. O. (2019). Molecular variability of Ocimum gratissimum L. Accessions using RAPD marker. Biotechnology Journal International, 22(3), 1-11.
Olawuyi, O. J., Oyetunde, E. O., Akanmu, A. O., & Olowe, O. M. (2022). Phenotypic Characterisation of Nine Accessions of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.). In Food Security and Safety Volume 2: African Perspectives (pp. 389-401). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
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Otoo, E. (2017). Yam breeding in Ghana. Journal of Agricultural Science, 9(10), 122 -136.
Ouattara, F., Agre, P. A., Adejumobi, I. I., Akoroda, M. O., Sorho, F., Ayoli, K., & Bhattacharjee, R. (2024). Multi-trait selection index for simultaneous selection of water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) genotypes. Agronomy, 14(1), 128.
Ousmael, K. M., Tesfaye, K., & Hailesilassie, T. (2019). Genetic diversity assessment of yams (Dioscorea spp.) from Ethiopia using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. African Journal of Biotechnology, 18(30), 970-977.
Oyedoyin, F. P, Agre, P. A, Olawuyi, O. J and Asfaw, Asrat (2024), Molecular and Morphological Evaluations on Hybridisation of Two Wild Yams (Dioscorea abyssinica and Dioscorea praehensilis) to Enhanced Agro-Morphological Traits in Cultivated Yam (Dioscorea rotundata). Available at SSRN: 5008065.
Padhan, B., Mukherjee, A. K., Mohanty, S. K., Lenka, S. K., & Panda, D. (2019). Genetic variability and inter species relationship between wild and cultivated yams (Dioscorea spp.) from Koraput, India based on molecular and morphological markers. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants, 25, 1225-1233.
Pour-Aboughadareh, A., & Poczai, P. (2021). Dataset on the use of MGIDI index in screening drought-tolerant wild wheat accessions at the early growth stage. Data in Brief, 36, 107096.
Santos dos, D. P., Sermarini, R. A., dos Santos, A., & Demtrio, C. G. B. (2024). Optimal designs in plant breeding experiments: A simulation study comparing grid-plot and partially replicated (p-rep) design. Sugar Tech, 26(2), 387-395.
Shaibu, A. S. (2021). Genetic diversity of extra-early yellow maize hybrids under Striga environments. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 5(1), 302308.
Sharma, S. (2017). Pre-breeding using wild species for genetic enhancement of grain legumes at ICRISAT. Crop Science, 57(3), 1132-1144.
Singamsetti, A., Zaidi, P. H., Seetharam, K., Vinayan, M. T., Olivoto, T., Mahato, A., ... & Shikha, K. (2023). Genetic gains in tropical maize hybrids across moisture regimes with multi-trait-based index selection. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, 1147424.
Sugihara, Y., Darkwa, K., Yaegashi, H., Natsume, S., Shimizu, M., Abe, A., ... & Terauchi, R. (2020). Genome analyses reveal the hybrid origin of the staple crop white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(50), 31987-31992.
Swarup, S., Cargill, E. J., Crosby, K., Flagel, L., Kniskern, J., & Glenn, K. C. (2021). Genetic diversity is indispensable for plant breeding to improve crops. Crop Science, 61(2), 839-852.
Tesfaye, A. (2022). Genetic divergence and cluster analysis for bulb yield and related traits in garlic (Allium sativum) accessions at Dorze, southern Ethiopia. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 5(2), e20269.
Adewunmi, A. S., Asare, P. A., Adejumobi, I. I., Adu, M. O., Taah, K. J., Adewale, S., and Agre, P. A. (2023). Multi-trait selection index for superior agronomic and tuber quality traits in bush yam (Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.). Agronomy, 13(3), 682.
Alam, Z., Akter, S., Khan, M. A. H., Rahman, A., & Rahman, M. H. S. (2024). Ideotype based genotype selection in a multivariate dataset of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.). Data in Brief, 110575.
Andres, C., AdeOluwa, O. O., & Bhullar, G. S. (2017). Yam (Dioscorea spp.)-A rich staple crop neglected by research. In Encyclopedia of applied plant sciences (Vol. 2, pp. 435-441). Academic Press.
Asfaw, A. (2016). Standard operating protocol for yam variety performance evaluation trial. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). ISBN 978-978-8444-68-8.
Asfaw, A., Aderonmu, D. S., Darkwa, K., De Koeyer, D., Agre, P., Abe, A., ... & Asiedu, R. (2021). Genetic parameters, prediction, and selection in a white Guinea yam earlygeneration breeding population using pedigree information. Crop science, 61(2), 1038-1051.
Asfaw, A.; Agre, P.; Matsumoto, R.; Olatunji, A.A.; Edemodu, A.; Olusola, T.; Odom-Kolombia, O.L.; Adesokan, M.; Alamu, O.E.; Adebola, P.. Genome-wide dissection of the genetic factors underlying food quality in boiled and pounded white Guinea yam. Journal of Science and Food Agric. 2023, 115.
Bilate Daemo, B., Belew Yohannes, D., Mulualem Beyene, T., & Abtew, W. G. (2023). Phenotypic characterization, evaluation, and classification of cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) accessions in Ethiopia. International Journal of Agronomy, 2023(1), 1559070.
Burton, G. W. (1952). Quantitative inheritance in grasses. Proceedings of the Sixth International Grassland Congress 1952, Pennsylvania, (Vol. 1, pp. 277283).
Burton, G. W., & De Vane, D. E. (1953). Estimating heritability in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) from replicated clonal material. Agronomy Journal, 45(9), 478-81.
Cullis, B. R., & Coombes, N. E. (2006). On the design of early generation variety trials with correlated data. Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics, 11(4), 381-393.
Darkwa, K., Agre, P., Olasanmi, B., Iseki, K., Matsumoto, R., Powell, A., ... & Asfaw, A. (2020). Comparative assessment of genetic diversity matrices and clustering methods in white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) based on morphological and molecular markers. Scientific reports, 10(1), 13191.
Darkwa, K., Olasanmi, B., Asiedu, R., & Asfaw, A. (2020). Review of empirical and emerging breeding methods and tools for yam (Dioscorea spp.) improvement: Status and prospects. Plant Breeding, 139(3), 474-497.
Hossain, M. M., Kaium, M. A., Al Amin, M., Ali, T. B., Jahan, N., & Uddin, M. N. (2023). Evaluation of Genetic Divergence in Various Potato Genotypes Grown in Bangladesh through Different Traits Assessment. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 14(11), 1235-1247.
Kilian, B., Dempewolf, H., Guarino, L., Werner, P., Coyne, C., & Warburton, M. L. (2021). Crop Science special issue: Adapting agriculture to climate change: A walk on the wild side. Crop Science, 61(1), 32-36.
MagwTindo, J., Wieringa, J. J., Sonk, B., Zapfack, L., Vigouroux, Y., Couvreur, T. L., & Scarcelli, N. (2018). Guinea yam (Dioscorea spp., Dioscoreaceae) wild relatives identified using whole plastome phylogenetic analyses. Taxon, 67(5), 905-915.
Malik, A. I., Kongsil, P., Nguyn, V. A., Ou, W., Srean, P., Lpez-Lavalle, L. A. B., ... & Ishitani, M. (2020). Cassava breeding and agronomy in Asia: 50 years of history and future directions. Breeding Science, 70(2), 145-166.
Matemilola, S. (2017). The challenges of food security in Nigeria. Open Access Library Journal, 4(12), 1.
Mondo, J. M., Agre, P. A., Edemodu, A., Adebola, P., Asiedu, R., Akoroda, M. O., & Asfaw, A. (2020). Floral biology and pollination efficiency in yam (Dioscorea spp.). Agriculture, 10(11), 560.
Norman, P. E., Agre, P. A., Asiedu, R., & Asfaw, A. (2022). Multiple-traits selection in White Guinea Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) genotypes. Plants, 11(21), 3003.
Obidiegwu, J. E., Lyons, J. B., & Chilaka, C. A. (2020). The Dioscorea Genus (Yam)An appraisal of nutritional and therapeutic potentials. Foods, 9(9), 1304.
Olawuyi, O. J., & Ajie, V. I. (2023). Diverse morphological and molecular patterns of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Linn.) accessions. Plant Gene, 34, 100423.
Olawuyi, O. J., Kariunwi, O. F., & Akanmu, A. O. (2019). Molecular variability of Ocimum gratissimum L. Accessions using RAPD marker. Biotechnology Journal International, 22(3), 1-11.
Olawuyi, O. J., Oyetunde, E. O., Akanmu, A. O., & Olowe, O. M. (2022). Phenotypic Characterisation of Nine Accessions of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.). In Food Security and Safety Volume 2: African Perspectives (pp. 389-401). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Oseghale, A. I., Nmadu, J. N., Bako, R. U., Olarewaju, T. O., Jirgi, A. J., Yisa, E. S., & Mohammed, U. S. (2024). Sustainable Food Supply: The Interplay between Population Growth and Land Productivity Changes as a Pathway to 2030 and Beyond for Nigeria. Asian Research Journal of Agriculture, 17(2), 414-423.
Otoo, E. (2017). Yam breeding in Ghana. Journal of Agricultural Science, 9(10), 122 -136.
Ouattara, F., Agre, P. A., Adejumobi, I. I., Akoroda, M. O., Sorho, F., Ayoli, K., & Bhattacharjee, R. (2024). Multi-trait selection index for simultaneous selection of water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) genotypes. Agronomy, 14(1), 128.
Ousmael, K. M., Tesfaye, K., & Hailesilassie, T. (2019). Genetic diversity assessment of yams (Dioscorea spp.) from Ethiopia using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. African Journal of Biotechnology, 18(30), 970-977.
Oyedoyin, F. P, Agre, P. A, Olawuyi, O. J and Asfaw, Asrat (2024), Molecular and Morphological Evaluations on Hybridisation of Two Wild Yams (Dioscorea abyssinica and Dioscorea praehensilis) to Enhanced Agro-Morphological Traits in Cultivated Yam (Dioscorea rotundata). Available at SSRN: 5008065.
Padhan, B., Mukherjee, A. K., Mohanty, S. K., Lenka, S. K., & Panda, D. (2019). Genetic variability and inter species relationship between wild and cultivated yams (Dioscorea spp.) from Koraput, India based on molecular and morphological markers. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants, 25, 1225-1233.
Pour-Aboughadareh, A., & Poczai, P. (2021). Dataset on the use of MGIDI index in screening drought-tolerant wild wheat accessions at the early growth stage. Data in Brief, 36, 107096.
Santos dos, D. P., Sermarini, R. A., dos Santos, A., & Demtrio, C. G. B. (2024). Optimal designs in plant breeding experiments: A simulation study comparing grid-plot and partially replicated (p-rep) design. Sugar Tech, 26(2), 387-395.
Shaibu, A. S. (2021). Genetic diversity of extra-early yellow maize hybrids under Striga environments. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 5(1), 302308.
Sharma, S. (2017). Pre-breeding using wild species for genetic enhancement of grain legumes at ICRISAT. Crop Science, 57(3), 1132-1144.
Singamsetti, A., Zaidi, P. H., Seetharam, K., Vinayan, M. T., Olivoto, T., Mahato, A., ... & Shikha, K. (2023). Genetic gains in tropical maize hybrids across moisture regimes with multi-trait-based index selection. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, 1147424.
Sugihara, Y., Darkwa, K., Yaegashi, H., Natsume, S., Shimizu, M., Abe, A., ... & Terauchi, R. (2020). Genome analyses reveal the hybrid origin of the staple crop white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(50), 31987-31992.
Swarup, S., Cargill, E. J., Crosby, K., Flagel, L., Kniskern, J., & Glenn, K. C. (2021). Genetic diversity is indispensable for plant breeding to improve crops. Crop Science, 61(2), 839-852.
Tesfaye, A. (2022). Genetic divergence and cluster analysis for bulb yield and related traits in garlic (Allium sativum) accessions at Dorze, southern Ethiopia. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 5(2), e20269.
Published
2025-03-31
How to Cite
Oyedoyin, F. P., Olawuyi, O. J., Fowobaje, K. R., Asfaw, A., & Agre, P. A. (2025). GENETIC VARIABILITY AND MULTI-TRAIT SELECTION FOR SUPERIOR TRAITS IN WILD YAM HYBRIDS. FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES, 9(3), 224 - 232. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0903-3243
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Research Articles
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
