Current knowledge and breeding avenues to improve upon Frafra potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius (Poir.) J. K. Morton)

Abstract

Solenostemon rotundifolius is a very important tuber staple for both rural and urban communities in West Africa. The crop is rich in nutrients as compared with other root and tuber crops and is germane to ensuring food and nutritional security. It is also of great medicinal importance and is known to lower blood cholesterol levels as well as fend off fungal and viral infections in humans. However, very little is known about the breeding avenues necessary to improve upon the crop. Also, not much interest has been generated with regards to production of the crop owing to its low yield and small tuber size. This review elucidates the current knowledge and breeding avenues for increasing the genetic base as well as improving upon the existing cultivars of the crop. Breeding objectives may be geared towards the development of high yielding cultivars with bigger tuber sizes in order to increase the marketable value of the crop. Tissue culture avenues should be exploited to induce somaclonal variants, so as to increase the genetic diversity necessary for the improvement of the crop. Chemical mutagens could be employed to alter the size and number of tubers that the crop produces. Present ex situ and in situ conservation strategies need to be reinforced. Further studies should be carried out into the cryopreservation of Frafra potato genetic resources.