Global Genepool Conservation and Use Strategy for Dioscorea (Yam)

Abstract

Abstract The global genepool conservation and use strategy for yam were developed in this study. Diversity analysis, and in situ and ex situ conservation gap analyses were carried out for the 27 globally priority yam crop wild relatives (CWR) at taxon and ecogeographic levels to determine their representativeness in conservation actions. Hotspots were found in Nzerekore region of Guinea, Nimba and Grand Gedeh regions of Liberia, Montagnes, Sassandra- Marahouse, and Bas – Sassandra regions of Cote d’Ivoire, Volta, Greater Accra and Eastern regions of Ghana, Centrale and Plateau regions of Togo, Donga, Oueme, Athlantique, Littoral and Plateau provinces of Benin, South West zone of Nigeria, Es region of Cameroon, Sangha- Mbaere region of Central Africa Republic. Likouala and Sangha regions of Congo, and Shan province of Myanmar and Thailand. A total of 13 reserve sites were found in 13 countries, with four locations in the network of PA. Out of the 81% of the priority CWR, 7.10% of the taxa were represented in ex situ collections, with 14.8% of the taxa with at least 50 accessions in genebanks, while 66.6% of the priority CWR are underrepresented in genebanks, with less than 50 accessions conserved ex situ, and 18.5% of the species are not represented in ex situ collections. The findings and recommendations of this study will guide the production and implementation of effective long term conservation action and sustainable utilization of globally priority yam CWR. The active conservation of the global yam priority species will underpin food security and mitigate climate change.