First controlled progenies checked by isozymic markers in cultivated yams Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata

As tested progeny have never been obtained, breeding studies on African yams (Dioscorea cayenensisrotundata) are scarce. We report here the first progenies checked by isoenzyme markers. This was made possible by the choice of well-known genitors [one male (cv Zrezrou) and three females (cvs 'Sopéré', 'Dahomey' and 'C 20')] and special hybridization conditions. Six enzymatic systems [esterase (EST), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICD), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), shikimate dehydrogenase (SDH), and phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI)] were used to check the progenies and detect outbreeding. Despite the small number of progeny, it was possible to provide information on the genetics of the isoenzymatic systems.