Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research

Author:Sin-Yie Liu, Torng-Wu Chang, Yi-Kung Lin, Su-Feng Chen, Jau-Yueh Wang, Gean-Liang Zu, and Shun-Cheng Wang

Abstract:

    A total of 13 Dioscorea genotypes had been cultivated, analyzed, and evaluated at Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute (TARI). The results obtained from comparison test on the varietal characters, yield potential, and phytochemical properties of these Dioscorea plants indicated that TNG2, 70W42, 70W47, 70W35, and 80W02 might be the most promising lines due to their high yield potential over 34 t/ha, among them 70W35 and 70W42 had a higher peroxidase activity than others. Yam line 70W49 possessed more mineral elements and also a higher peroxidase activity, but a lowest yield of 8 t/ha. The acute toxicological effects of water crude extracts of TNG2 buds administered in single dose of 5,000 mg/kg (maximal test threshold) were also evaluated. No gross abnormalities were noted in any organs of the treated animals at the necropsy. The TNG2 buds belonged to one of non- or less-toxic products. In order to assess and distinguish the genetic diversity of all the Dioscorea species used in this experiment at DNA level, the Dioscorea samples were detected by RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) technique. Total 23 polymorphic DNA fragments were scored for all materials tested using primer #31: 5'TGTCCGGGTG3', a random 10 bp primer selected from 35 primers used in TARI. Among these fragments, 11 fragments existed only in each of Dioscorea samples. 587 bp didn’t exist in 70W49, 70W37, and 70W33. 956 bp and 1,123 bp existed only in 70W43, and 556 bp and 802 bp only in 70W37. These fragments could be used as useful markers for distinguishing the genetic diversity of all the yam species used in this experiments.

Key words:Dioscorea spp., Varietal character, Production, RADP, Antioxidant effect, and Acute toxicity

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