Agro-morpho-logical and sensory characterization of cocoyam (<i>Xanthosoma sagittifolium</i> (L) (Schott) germplasm in Ghana

Abstract

Seventy-eight accessions of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) were collected from seven regions of Ghana to gather the available germplasm for conservation and use. The materials were planted at the Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC), Bunso and characterized agro-morphologically using the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute's (IPGRI) descriptors for Xanthosoma. Twenty-one qualitative and 10 quantitative characters were studied. Two main groups were identified based on characters of the pseudo-stem and colouration of the apical portions of cormels. However, three groups were identified based on cooked cormel qualities. The qualitative character which recorded the highest polymorphism was the cooking quality of cormels with a diversity index of 0.540. A cluster analysis using the 31 characters showed eight distinct groupings. A further characterization using molecular methods is recommended to indicate more variability or otherwise in the germplasm.

Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 37 2004: 23-31