Current Status of Yam (Dioscorea Sp) Genetic Resources-Case Study of Selected Locations in South-West Nigeria

Yam is an important tuber crop in Nigeria. Some locations in South west Nigeria (Oyo State, Ondo State, Osun State, and Ogun State) were surveyed to find out the existence and the abundance of diversity of white guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata). It was discovered that there are also diversity in other species of landrace yams (Dioscorea cayenensis, Dioscorea alata, Dioscorea dumentorum). One unidentified species of yam was found in Ondo State. This species also exist in Osun State. Some of the yam diversities are endangered. Genetic erosion of these yam diversities is imminent because of the decline of the traditional farmers growing these diversities; also because of modern commercial farms that tend to mono-cropping of improved variety and also because of problem of storage of yams and especially ex-situ conservation of yam genetic resources of yam in Nigeria.