Multi-Trait Selection Index for Simultaneous Selection of Water Yam (<i>Dioscorea alata</i> L.) Genotypes
Fatoumata Ouattara,
Paterne A. Agre,
Idris I. Adejumobi,
Malachy O. Akoroda,
Fatogoma Sorho,
Koutoua Ayolié,
Ranjana Bhattacharjee
Affiliations
Fatoumata Ouattara
Pan African University Life and Earth Science Institute, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200132, Nigeria
Paterne A. Agre
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan PMB 5320, Nigeria
Idris I. Adejumobi
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan PMB 5320, Nigeria
Malachy O. Akoroda
Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200132, Nigeria
Fatogoma Sorho
African Center of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture (CEA-CCBAD), Félix Houphouet-Boigny University, Abidjan P.O. Box BP V 34, Côte d’Ivoire
Koutoua Ayolié
Agricultural Production Improvement Laboratory, Agroforestry UFR, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University of Daloa, Daloa 150, Côte D’Ivoire
Ranjana Bhattacharjee
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan PMB 5320, Nigeria
Water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) is the most widely cultivated yam species with good agronomic attributes. However, several biotic and abiotic constraints and its lower food quality such as poor pound ability limit its production and use. Therefore, the identification of superior genotypes with suitable characteristics is needed for water yam improvement. This study aims to assess a panel of half-sib (progenies with one parent in common) and full-sib (progenies with the same male and female parents) progenies as well as their parents for selection of desirable ideotypes based on their agronomic and quality characteristics. A total of 280 progenies from bi-parental populations as well as five parents were evaluated, and a significant variation was observed (p p D. alata improvement programs targeting good agronomic and quality traits targeted for farmers and end users.
