Comparative Studies on the Susceptibility of Three Tubers of Dioscorea Species to Dry Rot in Anyigba, Kogi State

Abstract

Various yam species are cultivated but white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.), water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) and yellow yam (Dioscorea cayenensis Lam.) are among the most cultivated in Nigeria. The Susceptibility of three tubers of Dioscorea species (D. rotundata, D. alata and D. cayenensis) to dry rot pathogens was investigated. Isolation was made from rotted tuber tissues, followed by pathogenicity test and identification of isolates; two fungal species Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer were isolated and identified as the major fungi causing yam tuber dry rot in the study area. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the susceptibility of the various Dioscorea tuber species studied to rot caused by Aspergillus niger [D. rotundata (20mm), D. alata (11mm) and D. cayenensis (3.5mm)] and Rhizopus stolonifer [ D. rotundata (17.5mm), D. alata (10mm) and D. cayenensis (2mm)]. The phytochemical contents of the three tubers of Dioscorea species examined also varied significantly, with the bioactive substances of D. cayenensis and D. alata relatively higher when compared to D. rotundata. Therefore, this research reveals that three metabolites; Saponin, Flavonoid and Tanin constitute the major trait for resistant ability of D. cayanesis and D. alata to dry rot causing pathogen. Therefore, it is necessary that the differences in susceptibility be considered when developing yam barns. Also, researchers should work on genetically improving the susceptible white yam (D. rotundata) which is commonly eaten by millions of Nigerians with a possibility of increasing the quantities of the deficient phytochemicals.

Capacidad de infección de hongos asociados a la pudrición seca de los Tubérculos de Ñame

“…Para facilitar la entrada del patógeno a la planta, se realizó una perturbación física de la zona de raíces en la maceta, tratando de ocasionar heridas en los puntos de crecimiento de las raíces. Bajo condiciones naturales de crecimiento del cultivo, estos morfotipos son capaces y tienen la habilidad de penetrar e infectar el tejido de las plantas de ñame, tal como ha sido descrito por Adeniji et al (2020) y Anwadike (2021). En este caso se realizó el disturbio de las raíces a fin de asegurar una igual penetración de los morfotipos bajo estudio.…”

Elite Genotypes of Water Yam (Dioscorea alata) Yield Food Product Quality Comparable to White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata)

“…The tuber crop is so important that it provides food and income for most African rural residents. However, its industrial potential has not been fully explored [7]. Yams are consumed by boiling, roasting, or frying.…”