Abstract
Taro is an important crop species in Côte d’Ivoire. It is cultivated for its tubers and leaves. But its knowledge and genetic diversity and differentiation are very weakly documented. Several morphological types are found in rural area, but their identification is not very clear, and their agronomic potentiality is underexploited. In this context we initiated a survey and collected 213 accessions from 14 growing regions of Côte d’Ivoire. The diversity was evaluated based on seven qualitative traits of leaves (Shape of the base of the leaf, Predominant position (shape) of the leaf blade surface, Margin of the leaf blade, Leaf blade variegation, Profile of the petiolar junction, Shape of the leaf sheath, Shape of the appendix) during an experimentation conducted in rural area. The objective of this study was to characterize the collection of taros collected in different geographical zones of Côte d’Ivoire and identify the genera cultivated. Results of our study indicated that excepted margin of the leaf blade all traits are very discriminant. Several variants were observed for each of traits. According to observations and statistics analysis accessions were separated into two main groups. The characteristics of these groups indicate that taro cultivated in Côte d’Ivoire could belong to two genera: Xanthosoma and Colocasia.
Highlights
The diversity was evaluated based on seven qualitative traits of leaves (Shape of the base of the leaf, Predominant position of the leaf blade surface, Margin of the leaf blade, Leaf blade variegation, Profile of the petiolar junction, Shape of the leaf sheath, Shape of the appendix) during an experimentation conducted in rural area
Five variants were observed for the trait, predominance position of the leaf blade surface (PrPL)
The observable characteristics or traits of leaves have been used to describe the accessions of taro collected in various agro-ecological areas in Côte d’Ivoire
Summary
Crop, food nutrition and technology sciences in Africa have focused on major crops such as maize [1], cassava, rice and yam leaving behind hundreds of crops and species relevant for the local economy and the nutrition of millions of rural and urban populations [2]. More than 7000 species, frequently referred to as orphan crops, minor crops, or underutilized species, are used by rural and urban dwellers to alleviate hunger and promote healthy and balanced diets [3]. Most of those plant resources are by-and-large overlooked and very limited research programs focus on them. Very few researchers are trained for processing and promoting those locally adapted crops like leafy vegetables, indigenous fruits, old cereals, and pulses
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