The ploidy levels of the twenty-two yam (Dioscorea cayenensis-D. rotundata complex) cultivars within germplasm Cameroon Guinea yam were determined by flow cytometry. Three different ploidy levels (4x,6x, 8x) were detected within the samples analysed. Fifteen cultivars were tetraploids, five were hexaploids, and two were octoploids. The cultivar group EKOTO showed a high level of ploidy variation with tetraploid, hexaploid and octoploid cultivars. The hexaploid nature of cultivars Dobnawo and Bilougnou supported the hypothesis that they are hybrids between cultivars of the EKOTO group and either the KPE or BAKOKAE groups.

Yam; Plant Breeding; Genetic Improvement; Plant Health; Plant Production; Diseases Control; Livelihoods; Food Security; Post-Harvesting Technology; Pests Of Plants; Plant Diseases; Plant Genetic Resources; Smallholder Farmers; Farm Management

Dioscorea Cayenensis-Dioscorea Rotundata Complex; Flow Cytometry; Ploidy Level; Yams; Genotypes; Chromosomes; Ploidy

Africa; West Africa; Central Africa

Benin; Nigeria; Cameroon