Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of yam (Dioscorea alata L.) using microsatellite markers.

Yams (Dioscorea sp.) are staple food crops for millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions. Dioscorea alata, also known as greater yam, is one of the major cultivated species and most widely distributed throughout the tropics.

New development and validation of 50 SSR markers in breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae) by next-generation sequencing.

Premise Of The Study: Using next-generation sequencing technology, new microsatellite loci were characterized in Artocarpus altilis (Moraceae) and two congeners to increase the number of available markers for genotyping breadfruit cultivars.

Methods And Results: A total of 47,607 simple sequence repeat loci were obtained by sequencing a library of breadfruit genomic DNA with an Illumina MiSeq system. Among them, 50 single-locus markers were selected and assessed using 41 samples (39 A.

Comparative analysis of genetic variation in kava (Piper methysticum) assessed by SSR and DArT reveals zygotic foundation and clonal diversification.

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a major cash crop in the Pacific. The aim of this study was to assess genetic variation among 103 accessions of kava using SSRs and DArTs. Genetic structure was determined using clustering analyses (WPGMA) and principal coordinate analyses (PCA).

Characterization of microsatellites in Xanthosoma sagittifolium (Araceae) and cross-amplification in related species.

Premise Of The Study: To investigate the genetic diversity of a root crop, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, and to facilitate germplasm conservation, microsatellite loci were developed and characterized by genotyping 39 accessions from different geographic origins. •

Methods And Results: Using a microsatellite-enriched library approach, 17 polymorphic microsatellite markers were identified and characterized. The number of alleles for each locus ranged from two to six.

Application of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for the evaluation of yam (Dioscorea alata) germplasm and breeding lines.

Background: Thousands of yam (Dioscorea spp.) accessions are maintained in germplasm collections. The physico-chemical characteristics of the tubers are rarely characterised.

Rapid estimation of taro (Colocasia esculenta) quality by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy.

The aim of the present study is to develop a methodology for the rapid estimation of taro (Colocasia esculenta) quality. Chemical analyses were conducted on 315 accessions for major constituents (starch, total sugars, cellulose, proteins, and minerals). NIRS calibration equations, developed on a calibration set composed of 243 accessions, showed high explained variances in cross-validation (r(2)(cv)) for starch (0.

NIR determination of major constituents in tropical root and tuber crop flours.

Tropical root and tuber crops (cassava, sweet potato, taro, and yam) are staples in developing countries where rapid urbanization is strengthening the demand for flour based foods. Quality control techniques are still under development, and when available, laboratory analyses are too expensive. The objectives of this study were to calibrate Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for routine analysis of flours and to test its reliability to determine their major constituents.