Diversity of Water Yam (Dioscorea alata L.) Accessions from Côte d'Ivoire Based on SNP Markers and Agronomic Traits.

Dioscorea alata (L.), also referred to as water, winged, or greater yam, is one of the most economically important staple food crops in tropical and subtropical areas. In Côte d'Ivoire, it represents, along with other yam species, the largest food crop and significantly contributes to food security. However, studies focusing on better understanding the structure and extent of genetic diversity among D. alata accessions, using molecular and phenotypic traits, are limited. This study was, therefore, conducted to assess the pattern of genetic variability in a set of 188 D. alata accessions from the National Agronomic Research Centre (CNRA) genebank using 11,722 SNP markers (generated by the Diversity Arrays Technology) and nine agronomic traits. Phylogenetic analyses using hierarchical clustering, admixture, kinship, and Discriminant analysis of principal component (DAPC) all assigned the accessions into four main clusters. Genetic diversity assessment using molecular-based SNP markers showed a high proportion of polymorphic SNPs (87.81%). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed low molecular variability within genetic groups. In addition, the agronomic traits evaluated for two years in field conditions showed a high heritability and high variability among D. alata accessions. This study provides insights into the genetic diversity among accessions in the CNRA genebank and opens an avenue for sustainable resource management and the identification of promising parental clones for water yam breeding programs in Côte d'Ivoire.

A major gene mapped on chromosome XII is the main factor of a quantitatively inherited resistance to Meloidogyne fallax in Solanum sparsipilum.

Meloidogyne fallax is an emerging pest in Europe and represents a threat for potato production. We report the mapping of genetic factors controlling a quantitative resistance against M. fallax identified in the Solanum sparsipilum genotype 88S.329.15. When infected, this genotype develops a necrotic reaction at the feeding site of the juveniles and totally prevents their development to the female stage. A "F1" diploid progeny consisting of 128 individuals was obtained using the potato (S. tuberosum) dihaploid genotype BF15 H1 as female progenitor. Sixty-eight hybrid genotypes displayed necrosis at the feeding site of the juveniles and 60 other genotypes showed no defence reaction. This suggested a monogenic control of the resistance. However, when considering the number of nematode females developed in their roots, a continuous distribution was observed for both "necrotic" and "non-necrotic" hybrid genotypes, indicating a polygenic control of the resistance. A linkage map of each parental genotype was constructed using AFLP markers. The necrotic reaction (NR) was mapped as a qualitative trait on chromosome XII of the resistant genotype 88S.329.15. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for the number of nematode females developed per "F1" plant genotype was performed using the QTL cartographer software. No QTL was detected on the linkage map of the susceptible parent. A QTL explaining 94.5% of the phenotypic variation was mapped on chromosome XII of the resistant progenitor. This QTL, named MfaXIIspl, was mapped in a genomic region collinear to the map position of the Mi-3 gene conferring resistance to Meloidogyne incognita in tomato. It corresponds to the NR locus.