Evaluation of Genetic Variations and Agronomic Performance of Some Cultivars of White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) in Obio Akpa, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 at Teaching and Research Farm of Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Ekaideh, Obio Akpa Campus, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to assess Genetic Variability and the Agronomic Performance of ten different cultivars of White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata). The experiments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data analysis was done using statistical software (SPSS 20 version). Results indicated differences for some of the traits studied. However, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) for the number of tubers, the weight of tubers, stem number plant, and sprout length. The genetic variability assessment indicated that the phenotype of Variation (PCV) was higher than the Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) in all the traits, which suggests the influence of the environment on the study genotypes. Moderate heritability and genetic advance values were recorded for sprout length, plant vigor at 8 weeks, plant vigor at 16 weeks, plant vigor at 32 weeks, and number and weight of tubers suggesting that these traits as a good selection for improvement. However, high heritability and Genetic Advance value were recorded for sprout length suggesting the selection for improvement on this trait will be successful. Hence, cultivar TDR110180, TRD 1401593, TDR 1401785, and TDR 1100128 tend to be the preferred cultivars of white yam for improvement as they exhibited the longest sprout length, maximum mean number, and weight of yam tuber and were earliest to attend plant vigor at 8, 16 and 32 weeks after planting respectively.