Exploring of greater yam (Dioscorea alata L.) genotypes through biochemical screening for better cultivation in south Gujarat zone of India.

Fifteen different genotypes of greater yam (Dioscorea alata) NGY-1, NGY-2, NGY-3, NGY-4, NGY-5, NGY-6, NGY-7, NGY-8, NGY-9, NGY-10, NGY-11, NGY-12, NGY-13, NGY-14 and Da-199 were procured from different places of south Gujarat, like Valsad, Navsari, Surat and Anand. Among the biochemical parameters total carbohydrate ranged between 51.87 and 87.85% from different genotypes, starch ranged from 47 to 80.67%, crude fat ranged from 0.6 to 2.32%, crude fibre ranged between 1.10 and 4.09%, anthocyanin content of genotypes ranged from 1.01 to 3.25 mg/g, beta-carotene content ranged between 0.97 and 1.88 µg/g. The antinutrients namely Diosgenin and Tannin ranged from 0.28 to 0.93% and 0.923 mg/100 g to 2.447 mg/100 g, respectively. RAPD analysis was also done by the help of 18 RAPD markers: OPA1, OPA2, OPA3, OPA13, OPB1, OPB6, OPB7, OPM1, OPM2, OPM4, OPM7, OPM11, OPM12, OPM13, OPM15, OPM16, OPM17 and OPM19 from which an average of 9.7 loci were detected with an average of 4.72 polymorphic loci which is 48.65% polymorphism per loci and 48.70% average polymorphism. From the overall study, it can be conferred that the study revealed highest carbohydrate content in NGY-3 (87.85%), fat (2.32%) and crude fiber content (4.09%) in NGY-11, β-carotene in NGY-7 (1.88 µg/g), anthocyanin in NGY-4(3.25 mg/g). Lowest tannin (0.923 mg/100 g) and diosgenin (0.28%) was found in NGY-6, and NGY-7 respectively. For each of the biochemical parameters, the varieties with the optimum values may be cultivated. As the molecular studies revealed NGY-2 and NGY-3 have 96% similarities, they may be the duplicate of the same genotypes which can be studied further for better germplasm conservation. © Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society 2019.