Genetic and enzymatic polymorphisms of Interspecific Dioscorea Praensilis-Dioscorea rotundata hybrides from côte d’ivoire

Yam is a crop that is found in tropical areas. It greatly contribute to populations food in these areas, namely in Africa. In Côte d’Ivoire, yam is the first among food crops with an annual production of 5.8 million tons in 2013. In spite of the importance of this food crop, it is noticed a weak level of yield due to the lack of planting material for plantation establishment. Moreover, there is a decraese of Malgré l’importance de cette culture, il est constaté à une insuffisance de la production liée au manque de semenceaux pour l’établissement de plantations. In addition, there is a decrease of performance related to the use of unimproved varieties for which extensive culture is used to satisfy increasing demand. To face land scarcity that limits extensive culture and the constraints linked to climate change, productivity improvement appears crucial. Thus, thirty four hybrids obtained by controlled crossing between Discorea prahensilis (wild species) and Dioscorea rotundata (cultivated species) were analysed using isozymes electrophoresis technics with starch gel. Five enzymatic systems (MDH, SKDH, EST, PGD and PGI) were studied. MDH, PGD and SKDH systems were polymorphic in the tested population while EST and PGI appeared monomorphic. This study revealed a genetic diversity within yam hybrids population. The objective of the current study is to improve yams productivity. More specifically, it aims at characterizing the diversity within hybrids population for a better organization. At the end of the established organization, agronomic and morphologic traits of these hybrids need to be assessed to choose those usefull ones for productivity improvement.