Diversity, trait preferences, management and utilization of yams landraces (Dioscorea species): an orphan crop in DR Congo.

ABSTRACT: Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is cultivated in many villages of DR Congo as a means to sustain food security and alleviate poverty. However, the extent of the existing diversity has not been studied in details thus, considered as an orphan. A survey covering 540 farmers in 54 villages was conducted in six major yam growing territories covering three provinces in DR Congo to investigate the diversity, management and utilization of yam landraces using pre-elaborate questionnaires. Subject to synonymy, a total of 67 landraces from five different species were recorded. Farmers' challenges limiting yam production were poor tuber qualities (69%), harvest pest attack (7%), difficulty in harvesting (6%), poor soil status (6%). The overall diversity was moderate among the recorded yam germplasm maintained a

SUBMITTER: Adejumobi II 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8831613 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature