IITA Yam Team showcases groundbreaking research at PAG32

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Breeding team made a significant impression at the 32nd Plant and Animal Genome (PAG) Conference, held recently in San Diego, United States. Recognized as the premier global forum for plant and animal genome research, the conference attracts thousands of scientists each year, facilitating collaboration and knowledge-sharing through technical presentations, poster sessions, workshops, and exhibitions. 

A new era of collaboration with African scientists and breeders

While PAG has traditionally seen strong participation from advanced scientific institutes, African scientists and breeders used to be underrepresented. PAG Conference has seen a growing presence of African scientists in recent years, facilitated by organizers committed to amplifying their representation.  

The Plant and Animal Genome (PAG) Conference is designed to provide a platform on recent developments and future prospects for plant and animal genome research, providing excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and applications for the researchers. For African scientists, the conference is becoming a valuable space to foster partnerships, develop joint proposals, mobilize resources, and build capacity for researchers, including students.

Spotlight on IITA Yam Genomics session

At PAG32, the Yam Genomics session featured seven presentations from IITA breeders, that showcased cutting-edge research and technologies aimed at transforming yam improvement. 

The session included a detailed look at IITA’s progress in accelerating genetic gain through its yam breeding program. Supported by Accelerated Breeding and its Work Package Accelerate, IITA researchers are making strides in the generation of planting materials, shortening breeding cycles, applying genomic approaches, and developing tools for mechanization. In parallel, the team continues to prioritize capacity building by training the next generation of scientists and technicians. 

Latest yam-related scientific discoveries by IITA

IITA breeding presented advancements in developing pan-genomes for two critical yam species, Dioscorea rotundata and Dioscorea alata. These pan-genomes reveal structural genome variations and identify key genes linked to important agronomic traits, setting the stage for more targeted breeding efforts. 

IITA researchers also delved into the genetic basis of nutritional and medicinal properties in D. dumetorum (trifoliate yam). By analyzing phytochemical traits such as total phenolic content and α-glucosidase inhibition activities, they identified markers that could guide marker-assisted selection for improving antidiabetic traits in yam. 

A collaborative study using genetic diversity data from genebanks in Africa and Fiji revealed significant variation within and between Dioscorea species. This research provides a framework for coordinated genebank management, optimizing the use of genetic diversity, and identifying beneficial alleles for yam breeding. 

Further, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on D. alata identified genomic regions linked to essential post-harvest traits, including tuber oxidation, dry matter content, and boiled and pounded yam quality. Researchers pinpointed 32 candidate genes involved in enzymatic browning, carbohydrate biosynthesis, and starch accumulation, offering insights into improving yam quality. 

YamBase, a platform for managing yam breeding data by integrating genomic, phenotypic, and environmental datasets to support informed decision-making, developed by IITA, was introduced by its creators. YamBase features: comprehensive genotyping data management, seamless digital field data collection, and advanced visualization tools. 

Lastly, the team presented findings from Illumina sequencing of 940 yam genotypes across various Dioscorea species. This work generated approximately 7 million SNPs and 2 million indels, and unveiled novel insights into yam sex chromosome systems, paving the way for future research in yam germplasm analysis and predictive breeding.

The comprehensive research presented at PAG32 underscores IITA’s leadership in leveraging genomics to transform yam breeding. As the yam crops play a vital role in food security across tropical regions, these innovations aim to address critical challenges such as nutrition and post-harvest losses. 

Through their presence at PAG32, IITA scientists have showcased their scientific excellence, and laid the groundwork for further innovations in yam improvement, supported by CGIAR Accelerated Breeding Initiative.

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Resources

• Learn more about IITA work on yam in the Yam Genomics session abstracts
• Learn more about PAG32
• Learn more about Accelerated Breeding

We express our gratitude to the CGIAR research funders for their invaluable contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund. Main image: Group picture of the seven IITA yam researchers at PAG32, San Diego, United States. Credits: IITA. Written by Julie Puech, Breeding for Tomorrow.