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Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of China Condiment is the property of China Condiment and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The white grub, Diaprepes abbreviatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a significant pest of yam tubers and the second cause of tuber rot in Haiti. Larval feeding inflicts severe damage to tubers, leading to notable losses due to decreased tuber quality, reduced marketability and increased susceptibility to secondary parasites and pathogens. This study examined the influence of planting and harvesting dates on the vulnerability of yam tubers to white grub infestation and the resulting tuber quality across 24 farmers' fields. At harvest, we assessed the level of tuber infestation, white grub density and the tuber quality index. The results indicated that 85% of grub populations were found in fields planted on the traditional date. In addition, 69.5% of tuber damage occurred in early‐planted fields with fewer tubers damaged (30%) when harvested early. In contrast, in fields planted 30 days after the traditional date, the harvest date did not affect tuber infestation and damage by the pest. Overall, both planting and harvest dates impacted the quality grade of yam tubers. Delayed planting by 30 days and early harvesting (34th–38th week after planting) improved the marketability of yams. These findings highlight the importance of optimising planting and harvest schedules to better manage white grub infestation and enhance the marketability of yam tubers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a main staple tuber crop in Nigeria and the West African region. Its performance is determined by genotypes and also the environment of growth. This study assessed the agronomic performance and yield stability of elite white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) genotypes across diverse Nigerian environments. A total of 25 genotypes were evaluated at three locations in two consecutive growing seasons, 2022 and 2023, for fresh tuber yield, disease resistance, and tuber quality traits. The genotype's performance and stability for the measured traits were assessed using various analytical tools such as additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and multi-trait stability index (MTSI). The AMMI analysis revealed significant differences among the genotypes and across the environments for all traits (p < 0.001, p < 0.01). The PCA revealed that the first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) explained a substantial portion of the total variation (49.84%). The MTSI identified four clones: G18, G19, G24, and G16 as promising candidates for improved yam production in Nigeria with high and stable performance for the multiple traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

QianYang Chen,1,&ast; Shuo Liu,1,&ast; Yuhan Wang,1,&ast; MeiChen Tong,2 HaiBo Sun,2 Ming Dong,1 Yun Lu,1 WeiDong Niu,1 LiNa Wang1 1Department of Endodontics and Periodontics, College of Stomatology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, People’s Republic of China; 2Academician Laboratory of Immune and Oral Development & Regeneration, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: WeiDong Niu; LiNa Wang, Email 13840886663@139.com; wanglina@dmu.edu.cnIntroduction: Chronic apical periodontitis is a typical inflammatory disease of the oral cavity, the pathology is characterized by an inflammatory reaction with bone defects in the periapical area. Chinese medicine is our traditional medicine, Carbon Dots (CDs) are a new type of nanomaterials. The purpose of this study was to prepare Yam Carbon Dots (YAM-CDs) to investigate the mechanism of action of YAM-CDs on bone differentiation in vivo and in vitro.Methods: We characterized YAM-CDs using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL). CCK-8 assay, Real-time qPCR, and Western Blot were conducted using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to verify that YAM-CDs promote osteoblast differentiation. In addition, we investigated the role of YAM-CDs in promoting bone formation in an inflammatory setting in an in vivo mouse model of cranial defects.Results: The results of TEM and PL showed that the YAM-CDs mostly consisted of the components C1s, O1s, and N1s. Additionally the average sizes of YAM-CDs were 2– 6 nm. The quantum yield was 4.44%, with good fluorescence stability and biosafety. Real-time qPCR and Western blot analysis showed that YAM-CDs promoted osteoblast differentiation under an inflammatory environment by regulating expression of histone demethylase 4B (KDM4B). In vivo, results showed that YAM-CDs effectively repaired cranial bone defects in a mouse model and reduced the expression of inflammatory factors under the action of lipopolysaccharides (LPS).Conclusion: YAM-CDs promoted the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts by regulating the expression of KDM4B to repair cranial bone defects in mice under an LPS-induced inflammatory milieu, which will provide a new idea for the treatment of clinical periapical inflammation and other bone defect diseases.Keywords: traditional Chinese medicine, carbon dots, YAM, bone defect, KDM4B

Purple yam tuber in the form of flour has been applied for functional food products. Processing purple yam tubers into flour eliminates many beneficial compounds of the tubers. Another alternative for processing purple yam tubers is to process them directly into a paste to be mixed into the dough. This study was carried out to determine the effect of the processing technique of yam tuber on the texture profile of gluten-free dough made up of yam tuber and modified cassava flour (mocaf). Four (4) types of processing techniques were applied to produce purple yam+mocaf dough. First (ST), steaming yam tuber, mashing + mocaf + water. Second (SST), steaming slice of yam tuber, mashing + mocaf + water. Third (SCT0.5), soaking slices of yam tuber in citric acid 0.5%, mashing + mocaf + yam tuber mucus. The last (SCT1) is soaking slices of yam tuber in citric acid 1%, mashing + mocaf + yam tuber mucus. The result showed that the amount of water, the ratio between purple yam paste and mocaf, the lead time, and the processing technique play important roles in shaping the texture of the dough. The third technique (SCT0.5) produced higher hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, and cohesiveness dough than the other techniques. However, none of the texture profiles strongly correlate with the dietary fiber content. These results can be used better to understand the free gluten food application of yam tuber.

White Guinea yam is a tuber crop characterized by a long growth period over the entire rainy season, which is affected by changes in rainfall patterns owing to climate change. In this study, we investigated the effects of shifting the planting date of yam seed tubers on shoot growth and tuber development, which could be a plausible measure for adapting to changes in rainfall patterns. Our results revealed that tuber enlargement in plants with different planting dates started depending on the days after planting rather than the day of the year. This indicates that day length had little effect on tuberization. The final tuber yield was rarely affected by low rainfall during the early growth stage, whereas severe yield reduction occurred when the rainfall stopped during the tuberization period. We conclude that shifting the planting date backward to adjust for delayed rainy seasons increases the risk of severe yield reduction.

The Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya, DP) is promising for the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its nutritional value and pharmaceutical potential. Its proper cultivation is therefore of interest. An insufficient supply of minerals necessary for plant growth can be manifested by discoloration of the leaves. In our earlier study, magnesium deficiency was excluded as a cause. As a follow-up, this work focused on manganese and molybdenum. To quantify both minerals in leaf extracts of DP, analytical methods based on atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using the graphite furnace sub-technique were devised. The development revealed that the quantification of manganese works best without using any of the investigated modifiers. The optimized pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were 1300 °C and 1800 °C, respectively. For the analysis of molybdenum, calcium proved to be advantageous as a modifier. The optimum temperatures were 1900 °C and 2800 °C, respectively. Both methods showed satisfactory linearity for analysis. Thus, they were applied to quantify extracts from normal and discolored leaves of DP concerning the two minerals. It was found that discolored leaves had higher manganese levels and a lower molybdenum content. With these results, a potential explanation for the discoloration could be found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study was to create gluten‐free chiffon cakes by replacing wheat flour with rice flour (100%, 90% and 70% w/w) and adding yam (0%–30%). The effect of yam's water‐soluble fibre on cake batter properties was studied, including batter density, specific volume, colour, texture, moisture content, water activity and volatile compounds. Results revealed that yam addition decreased crumb lightness value, crust brown index and batter density. Batter viscosity and cake specific volume increased with yam levels, with the optimal amount being 10%. Specific volume decreased at a yam addition of 30%. Twenty‐four compounds were identified in gluten‐free chiffon cake with 10% yam addition (10Y). 1‐Octen‐3‐ol was the primary contributor, accounting for 89.9% odour activity value (OAV) of the aroma with a fruity, buttery, and mushroom odour, attributed to its low threshold. In addition, aldehyde compounds including hexanal, 3‐methylbutanal, 2‐methylbutanal, pentanal, 2‐methylpropanal, nonanal, octanal and heptanal, accounting for 9% of OAV, had high perception thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding of improved varieties of root, tuber, and banana (RTB) crops has led to the release of several varieties with excellent agronomic performances, such as high yield and disease resistance. However, farmers and end users have hampered the adoption of these improved varieties of RTB crops over the years due to their processing capacity and final product quality. Across the RTB crops, the key quality and adoption criteria differ for different products. The vital quality traits that can enhance the adoption of these improved varieties have been identified for cassava, yam, and banana/plantain. Some significant traits cassava farmers and consumers prefer are early-bulking, non-bitter roots, in-ground storability, drought tolerance, good pounding capabilities, and excellent cooking and sensory qualities. The acceptance of improved yam varieties is driven by good yield, resistance to pests, good cooking quality, and admirable textural attributes for both boiled and pounded yams. Also, for banana/plantain Musa spp., farmers and end users prefer varieties with appealing sensory properties and good agronomic attributes. Farmers' and end-users' most desired traits are high yields, good cooking qualities, and climate resilience. Though the quantification of some of these quality traits is challenging, the synergized work of breeders and food scientists with the use of standardized protocols during the breeding, selection, and evaluation stages will enhance the production of cultivars that will meet the preferences of all stakeholders along the food product value chain of the RTB crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White Guinea yam is a tuber crop characterized by a long growth period over the entire rainy season, which is affected by changes in rainfall patterns owing to climate change. In this study, we investigated the effects of shifting the planting date of yam seed tubers on shoot growth and tuber development, which could be a plausible measure for adapting to changes in rainfall patterns. Our results revealed that tuber enlargement in plants with different planting dates started depending on the days after planting rather than the day of the year. This indicates that day length had little effect on tuberization. The final tuber yield was rarely affected by low rainfall during the early growth stage, whereas severe yield reduction occurred when the rainfall stopped during the tuberization period. We conclude that shifting the planting date backward to adjust for delayed rainy seasons increases the risk of severe yield reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fumigation is considered a method to control soil-borne diseases and solve crop continuous cropping obstacles. However, fumigant residues in the soil are detrimental to soil health. Though substrate cultivation is a cultivation mode that can promote plant growth, studies to date on whether substrate cultivation can replace soil fumigation for the control of soil pathogens are limited. In this study, the effects of chloropicrin fumigation (Pic) and substrate cultivation (SC) on yam growth, soil pathogens, soil nutrients, and microbial communities were demonstrated using a 2-year field experiment. The results showed that SC significantly increased the content of soil organic matter (SOM), available phosphorus, and available potassium compared with Pic. In addition, SC could effectively reduce the number of Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp., decrease the rate of diseased yam plants, and significantly increase the yam yield. Moreover, SC significantly increased the abundance of beneficial microorganisms such as Actinobacteriota, Acidobacteriota, and Bacillus in soil. Correlation analysis showed that yam yield exhibited a negative relation with the number of soil pathogens and a positive correlation with SOM. Our study suggests that substrate cultivation can be an alternative to soil fumigation to control soil pathogens and protect soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is an important tuber crop consumed globally. However, stable yam production faces challenges from a variety of diseases caused by fungi, nematodes, viruses, and bacteria. Prominent diseases such as anthracnose, leaf spot, yam wilt, dry rot, and crazy root syndrome, currently pose serious threats to yam yields. These diseases not only result in quality degradation but also cause great economic losses. This review summarizes the damages, symptoms, causal agents, and epidemic factors of major yam diseases. It also outlines a comprehensive disease control strategy that includes the use of resistant varieties, proper crop rotation, sanitation measures, and the application of agrochemicals and biocontrol agents. Additionally, this review addresses future perspectives on risk factors and knowledge gaps, aiming to serve as a reference for in-depth research into advanced disease monitoring and control technologies for yams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Yam is a major staple food that provides both energy (starch) and bioactive compounds. However, there is a lack of knowledge on its cooking quality. We have determined the cooking quality of five varieties of water yam (among those most appreciated by consumers), when they were steamed or boiled. The yams were grown in two contrasting locations with regard to pedoclimatic conditions. RESULTS: Ratio of length to mean circumference of the tuber, difficulty to peel, cooking time, color attributes, hardness of steamed pulp, and dry matter (DM) and starch contents significantly varied among varieties. Cooking time and hardness of the cooked pulp, either steamed or boiled, were higher for tubers grown at the drier location, with vertisols, than at the rainy one, with a ferralitic soil. The raw pulp was richer in starch at the rainy location. We found no correlation between either textural properties or DM and the cooking time. A slight (r = 0.44) but significant correlation was recorded between the DM of the raw pulp and the hardness of the steamed product. CONCLUSION: We propose a comprehensive multicriteria approach for determination of yam cooking quality, textural properties, color attributes and chemical composition, along with varietal and environmental influences. This approach takes into consideration the complexity of food quality, allows a better understanding of its determinants and provides a basis for useful guidelines for breeders. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Consumers' preferences for food crops are guided by quality attributes. This study aimed at deciphering the genetic basis of quality traits, especially tuber flesh color (FC) and oxidative browning (OB) in Dioscorea alata, based on the genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) approach. The D. alata panel was planted at two locations in Guadeloupe. At harvest, the FC was scored visually as white, cream, or purple on longitudinally sliced mature tubers. The OB was scored visually as the presence or absence of browning after 15 min of exposure of the sliced samples to ambient air. RESULTS: Phenotypic characterization for FC and OB of a diverse panel of D. alata genotypes highlighted significant variation within the panel and across two locations. The genotypes within the panel displayed a weak structure and could be classified into three subpopulations. GWAS identified 14 and 4 significant associations for tuber FC and OB, respectively, with phenotypic variance, explained values ranging from 7.18% to 18.04%. Allele segregation analysis at the significantly associated loci highlighted the favorable alleles for the desired traits, i.e., white FC and no OB. A total of 24 putative candidate genes were identified around the significant signals. A comparative analysis with previously reported quantitative trait loci indicated that numerous genomic regions control these traits in D. alata. CONCLUSION: Our study provides important insights into the genetic control of tuber FC and OB in D. alata. The major and stable loci can be further utilized to improve selection in breeding programs for developing new cultivars with enhanced tuber quality. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper systematically investigates the changes in material properties during electrohydrodynamic (EHD) drying, the discharge characteristics of the EHD system as well as the active ingredients, textural properties (hardness, adhesiveness, etc.) and moisture distribution of yam under EHD, air drying and hot air drying were investigated. The results showed that the active particles and the ionized wind generated during the discharge process of the electrohydrodynamic drying device had a significant effect on the drying. Compared to thermal drying, 21 kV drying resulted in the most complete cellular structure, the best internal bound water content as well as textural properties of yam. It played a positive role in the retention of internal nutrients in yam, and the total phenol and allantoin contents were increased by 25.74% and 81.99%, respectively. These results elucidate the advantages of electrohydrodynamic drying in yam drying and provide a reference for the application of EHD in drying.

This study investigated the changes in the quality-related parameters and physicochemical properties of yam (Dioscorea alata L. var. Dasan) harvested after 260 d. The stem tip, middle, and bottom sections of yams were stored at room temperature (20 °C ± 2 °C) for 16 weeks. Samples were taken every 2 weeks and analyzed to determine the changes in physicochemical properties during storage. α-Amylase and PPO activities were highest in the stem tip section. A positive correlation between enzyme activities and storage time was observed in all groups. polyphenol oxidase (PPO) peaked during week 10 of storage and gradually decreased. No significant correlation was found between α-amylase activity and starch content. Moreover, similar to free sugar content, α-amylase activity reached its maximum value during week 14 of storage. All sections of the yams showed reductions in cooking loss rates with the prolongation of storage and reached their minimum cooking loss during week 10 of storage. During the storage, the middle sections of the yams exhibited the most consistent quality, presenting minimal changes in hardness and color stability and the lowest rate of cooking loss. The quality of yam tubers, particularly in enzymatic browning after slicing, post-cooking hardness, cooking loss, and free sugar content, was affected by fluctuations in α-amylase and PPO activities during storage. Therefore, these factors should be considered when evaluating quality and determining optimal storage and handling procedures. The results of this study may serve as a reference for determining the quality of yams during postharvest storage and are important for companies and researchers seeking to optimize yam storage for maximum yield and profitability.

Bread, a staple food, primarily utilizes wheat as the main ingredient due to its high carbohydrate content, despite being considered nutritionally deficient. In the present study, wheat flour was substituted with cowpea and yam flours. The raw materials were processed into flour, and the proximate composition, functional properties, and anti-nutritional contents of the individual and blend flours (B1 = 85 % wheat + 5 % cowpea +10 % yam, B2 = 70 % wheat + 10 % cowpea +20 % yam, and B3 = 55 % wheat + 15 % cowpea +30 % yam) were analyzed. The main findings revealed that the incorporation of cowpea and yam flours led to significant increases (p

This work investigated the effects of pulsed electric field (PEF) pretreatment, combined with different drying methods, on the quality of dried yams. The results showed that the pretreatment resulted in the formation of large pores in the yam tissues, thereby affecting the rehydration capability and hardness of the dried yam slices. The type of drying method after treatment did not alter the free radical stretching bands of yam. Additionally, the pretreated samples had a higher peak viscosity, through viscosity, final viscosity and break down, alongside lower pasting temperatures, To, Tp, Tc, and △H. Rheological measurements further indicated that all doughs exhibited solid-like behavior to different extents. The pretreatment also decreased the amount of allantoin and polysaccharides in dried yam slices, while negatively influencing their antioxidant activity. Finally, the choice of drying methods significantly affected the quality of the dried yams. In highlighting the effects of PEF pretreatment, combined with different drying methods, on dried yam, the results can help to expand their application within the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotyping yam (Dioscorea spp.) germplasm for resistance to parasitic nematodes is hampered by the lack of an efficient screening method. In this study, we developed a new method using rooted yam vine cuttings and yam plantlets generated from semi-autotrophic hydroponics (SAHs) propagation for phenotyping yam genotypes for nematode resistance. The method was evaluated using 26 genotypes of D. rotundata for their reaction to Scutellonema bradys and four root-knot nematode species, Meloidogyne arenaria, M. enterolobii, M. incognita, and M. javanica. Yam plantlets established in nursery bags filled with steam-sterilized soil were used for screening against single nematode species. Plants were inoculated four weeks after planting and assessed for nematode damage eight weeks later. A severity rating scale was used to classify genotypes as resistant, tolerant, or susceptible determine based on the nematode feeding damage on tubers and the rate of nematode multiplication in the roots of inoculated plants. The results demonstrated putative resistance and tolerance against S. bradys in 58% of the genotypes and 88%, 65%, 65%, and 58% against M. arenaria, M. javanica, M. incognita, and M. enterolobii, respectively. The method is rapid, flexible, and seasonally independent, permitting year-round screening under controlled conditions. This method increases the throughput and speed of phenotyping and improves the selection process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Storage & Process is the property of Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Bush yam (Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.) is an important semidomesticated food crop in West Africa. Limited information on the genetic architecture and its poor post-harvest tuber quality traits significantly hinder its use as food and source of income. Hence, dissecting the genetics underlying the expression of its post-harvest tuber quality traits is essential for establishing proper breeding schemes. Methods: In this study, 138 D. praehensilis accessions collected in Ghana were sequenced using Diversity Array Technology (DArTSeq). The materials were profiled for dry matter content (DMC), tuber flesh oxidation (TBOXI) and for tuber flesh hardness (TBhard) during two cropping seasons. Results and discussion: Diversity assessment using population structure, principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering methods revealed the presence of three major groups. Six genetic models were used for the trait association analysis using multiple random locus mixed linear model (MrMLM). Sixteen SNP markers distributed across the yam genome were identified to be associated with the evaluated traits. The associated SNP markers displayed a phenotypic variance ranged from 4.22% in TBHard to 16.92% in TBOXI. A total 25 putative candidate geneswere identified around the SNP markers. The putative genes were identified to play key roles in tuber bulking, oxidative browning and starch hydroxylase. This study provides a valuable insight on the genetics underlying tuber quality traits in bush yam and opens avenues for developing genomic resources to improve D. praehensilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Kponan is the most popular yam (Dioscorea cayenensis‐rotundata) variety in Côte d'Ivoire. Unfortunately, losses due to rotting during storage do not ensure a regular supply to markets. This study aimed to identify the impacts of cultivation and storage practices in the main production areas on physical, cooking and sensory characteristics of Kponan. To this end, yams grown in Bondoukou were stored in straw huts, those grown in Bouna in pits and those grown in Kouassi‐Kouassikro in the open air, according to the practices of each producer. RESULTS: Findings showed that yams grown in Kouassi‐Kouassikro and stored in the open air recorded the highest rot rate (58.09%) compared to the rot rate of yams grown and stored in pits in Bouna (26.67%) and those grown and stored in straw huts in Bondoukou (53.34%). However, the weight losses were respectively 10.47% (Bouna), 28.57% (Kouassi‐Kouassikro) and 36.19% (Bondoukou). Loss rates varied significantly from 43.80% (pits) to 100% (huts and open air). Furthermore, the browning indices were higher for yams grown in Kouassi‐Kouassikro and freshly harvested (26.09) compared to the browning index recorded for yams grown and freshly harvested in Bouna (23.43) and in Bondoukou (24.73). Concerning the hardness of yams, it decreased during storage for yams grown and stored in pits in Bouna (38.94 to 25.20 N) and for those grown and stored in straw huts in Bondoukou (39. 39 to 26.42 N). CONCLUSION: The shelf life and culinary and sensory characteristics of Kponan depend on the cultivation and storage practices of each producer. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetatively propagated plants like yam are prone to yield losses by viruses as infection tends to build up in successive cycles of propagation. This study aimed to eliminate yam mosaic virus (YMV) from yam using an optimized combination of thermotherapy and meristem culture. A protocol was optimized for shoot initiation, multiplication, and rooting from shoots of four yam varieties using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with growth regulators. A control at 26 ℃ and a thermo-treatment at 36, and 40 ℃ followed by meristem culture was used to eliminate YMV and verified using double antibody sandwich ELISA (DAS-ELISA) and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Results showed that the highest explant initiation rate of 87.5% and 83.3% were obtained for variety Bulcha and Aw/Ar/005, respectively, on MS medium with 1.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.5 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). While the MS medium with BAP (0.5 mg/L) + NAA (0.25 mg/L) produced the highest initiation rate of 91.7% in variety Aw/Ar/001. The longest mean shoot length of 9.0 ± 0.37 cm was recorded in Bulcha on MS medium with BAP (0.5 mg/L) + NAA (0.25 mg/L). The highest percentage of rooting was obtained on MS medium with 1.5 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) + 0.5 mg/L NAA for variety Bulcha and variety Aw/Wo/011. The maximum YMV elimination (93.3–100.0%) was noted at 40 ˚C thermo-treatment for 20 days followed by meristem culture. No amplification of the 586 bp fragment of YMV was obtained by RT-PCR in all the plants that went through 40 ˚C thermotherapy. The results make significant contribution in improving yam production in many countries, particularly in Africa where YMV is a significant constraint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the suitability of the soils underlain by mica-schist for sustainable production of yam and cocoyam. The study was carried out in 2014, in an area located approximately between 7o32′ N and 7o33′ N and longitudes 4o32′ E and 4o40′ E within the Teaching and Research Farm (T&R-F) of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Kajola, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Four profile pits were established, described and sampled with one at different physiographical units following the guideline for soil profile description according to FAO/UNESCO (2006) guideline. The soil samples collected were analyzed for particle size distribution, pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable bases, and organic matter using standard method. Land characteristics obtained were matched with the crop requirements for yam and cocoyam to obtain the soils’ suitability classes using parametric method. The result showed that all the soils are well drained and deep. The texture of the soils ranged from sandy loam to sandy clay loam at the surface and sandy clay loam to clay at subsurface. Soil reaction ranged from highly acidic to slightly acidic (4.2 – 5.8 water and 3.8 – 5.4 pH KCl) with low to moderate amounts of organic matter (1.2% to 2.9%) and available nitrogen (0.07 – 0.2 %). Available phosphorus varied from 2.0 – 10.6 mg/kg in all the horizons in the profiles with the highest values at the surface soil horizons, an indication that soil organic matter contributes significantly to the available P in these soils. The exchangeable bases were low and the relative abundance of the exchangeable bases followed the order: Ca> Mg > Na>K at the exchangeable site. Suitability evaluation of the soils was carried out using parametric approach. The result showed that all the soil mapping units were permanently not suitable (N2) for cocoyam and yam production for actual suitability evaluation. With the appropriate fertility management, the soils of mapping unit 2 was classified as moderately suitable (S2) for yam production while soils of mapping units 1 and 3 were classified as marginally suitable (S3) for yam production. Soils of mapping unit 4 was classified as presently not suitable (N1) for yam production. After improvement for cocoyam production, soils of mapping unit 1 and 2 were classified as marginally suitable (S3) while soils of mapping units 3 and 4 were presently not suitable (N1). The soils were limited by wetness, texture, shallow depth and low fertility (N, P and K). Therefore, Combined application of organic fertilizer with guided inorganic fertilizers (N-P-K) should be encouraged for optimum productivity.

This article reports on the first occurrence of Penicillium sclerotigenum causing post-harvest rot of yam in Côte d'Ivoire. Yam is a significant non-cereal food crop in the country, with Côte d'Ivoire being the world's third-largest producer. Previous studies have identified various fungi responsible for post-harvest rots in yams. Surveys conducted in two cities in Côte d'Ivoire revealed yam tubers exhibiting symptoms of dry brown rot. Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed the presence of Penicillium sclerotigenum as the causal agent. Further monitoring is needed to assess losses and varietal resistance. This research was funded by the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (PASET-RSIF). [Extracted from the article]

Objective: This study aimed to establish a method for the Preparation of matrix reference material for carbaryl residues in Chinese yam flour. Methods: Yam powder containing menafyl was prepared by homogenized, freeze-dried, ground, sifted, mixed and packaged. A liquid chromatography-series mass spectrometer was used for detection, and the isotope internal standard curve method was used for quantification. Through the process of equalization stability evaluation, cooperative setting and uncertainty evaluation, the matrix reference material of the expected yam powder was obtained. Results: The property value and expanded uncertainty of carbaryl was (1.04±0.10) mg/kg (k=2). Conclusion: It could be used for food laboratory method verification, quality control and other activities.

Yam (Dioscorea spp) occupies an important place in the diet of the populations of Côte d’Ivoire. It is a real source of starch and therefore generates enormous commercial potential. However, the decrease in production due to pest attacks represents a real threat to this crop. This study was conducted with the aim of improving yam production in Côte d’Ivoire. To do so, isolations carried out on yam leaves showing symptoms of foliar diseases have allowed us to identify 9 fungal genera. These were Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., Pestalotia sp., Botryodiplodia sp., Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Curvularia sp. and Phytophtora sp. Among these fungi, the genus Colletotrichum sp. was the most isolated with a rate of 56% followed by the Fusarium and Pestalotia genera (8%). Pathogenicity tests performed on healthy leaves of two yam varieties revealed that the Dioscorea alata is more susceptible to fungi compared to Dioscorea rotundata. The largest average diameter of necrosis was caused by Pestalotiopsis sp. (5.97 cm) on the Dioscorea alata variety while the smallest was caused by Colletotrichum sp.9 on Dioscorea rotundata (0.5 cm). Combatting these fungi need to be developed for effective management of leaf diseases of yam in Côte d’Ivoire.

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a main staple tuber crop in Nigeria and the West African region. Its performance is determined by genotypes and also the environment of growth. This study assessed the agronomic performance and yield stability of elite white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) genotypes across diverse Nigerian environments. A total of 25 genotypes were evaluated at three locations in two consecutive growing seasons, 2022 and 2023, for fresh tuber yield, disease resistance, and tuber quality traits. The genotype’s performance and stability for the measured traits were assessed using various analytical tools such as additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and multi-trait stability index (MTSI). The AMMI analysis revealed significant differences among the genotypes and across the environments for all traits (p < 0.001, p < 0.01). The PCA revealed that the first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) explained a substantial portion of the total variation (49.84%). The MTSI identified four clones: G18, G19, G24, and G16 as promising candidates for improved yam production in Nigeria with high and stable performance for the multiple traits.

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Copyright of Storage & Process is the property of Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of mulberry leaves and other compound powders on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal flora, and serum immune indexes of Lingshan Ma chickens. A total of 200 healthy 56-day-old Lingshan Ma chickens with similar body weight were randomly divided into four groups with five replicates per group and 10 chickens per replicate. The chickens in the control group were fed a basal diet, and the chickens in the group 1, group 2, and group 3 were fed a basal diet supplemented with 2.0%, 1.0%, and 0.5% mulberry leaves and other compound powders, respectively. The experiment lasted for 42 days. The results showed that compared with the control group, the average daily gain in the group 2 increased by 12.65% (P<0.05), and the feed to gain ratio significantly decreased (P<0.05). The number and diarrhea rate of Escherichia coli and Salmonella in the experimental groups significantly decreased (P<0.05), the activity of duodenal trypsin, amylase, lipase, and cecal cellulase significantly increased (P<0.05), and the serum IgG content increased by 40.69%, 49.88%, and 25.72%, respectively (P<0.05). The concentrations of serum TP, ALB, and GLB significantly increased (P<0.05), and the A/G significantly decreased (P<0.05). The study indicates that mulberry leaves and other compound powders can increase the growth performance and digestive enzyme activity, decrease the diarrhea rate, improve the serum biochemical indexes and immune function of Lingshan Ma chickens, and the appropriate amount is 1.0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dioscorea is an important group of species in the world cultivated as a food source with an eatable tuber rich in carbohydrates, minerals, saponins and pigments in some varieties, making them a functional food. Dioscorea genus is cultivated in Africa, Asia and parts of South America. Dioscoreaceae has six genus and close to 850 species, the most abundant genus is Dioscorea with 650 species. In Mexico 65 species have been reported to date, the most important one being D. sparsiflora as it is used as food. The common name given to Dioscorea sparsiflora collectively is camote de cerro and its nutritional value is similar to other tubers. Its natural habitat is the large gullies, generally living among tangled bushes and trees and on top of them. As a natural resource it is over exploited from September to May. It has been noticed that fruits and seeds can be damaged by beetles jeopardizing the recovery of native populations. Crop yield is the result of good management as this reduces physiological disorders and promotes optimal morphological development. Besides its nutritional value, increasing yield is important as several other aspects can be taken advantage of, like using the light energy reaching its leaves, due to plants' capacity to intercept and transform it into chemical energy. Photosynthetic capacity is related to tuber yield. Camote the cerro has a specific demand of light intensity at each stage of its development and this can impact yield, length and width. As it develops on the ground it is important to find methodologies allowing for optimal growth. It has been reported that form and size of furrow or mound has an impact on yield. Specifically for D. sparsiflora, the form of the container where it is planted has an effect on tuber yield.To find out which factors improve D. sparsiflora yield, different light intensities (26000, 18000 and 14000 lx), three shade periods (60, 90 and 180 d), and five types of containers were evaluated in two accessions (751 and 112). Tuber weight was higher at 18000 lx (6.9 t ha-1) and a higher yield was obtained when cultivated for 60 d of shading (33 t ha-1). The container was rectangular (40 t ha-1). Accession 751 presented the highest averages of weight and diameter (43 t ha-1 and 73 mm, respectively). Breeding is one of the alternatives that has been considered in all crops as it can improve species characteristics, like yield, adaptability to environmental conditions, and increase in important chemical compounds. Among breeding alternatives, crossbreeding is considered a traditional alternative; another way of breeding is through mutagenesis induction with chemical and physical agents that can be a way to obtain variations not commonly found in the species. Before carrying out cross breeding some factors had to be considered, ploidy is one of them and could be a barrier limiting crossbreeding. All Dioscorea species have been reported polyploidies. Using cytogenetic characterization several levels of ploidies were observed in D. sparsiflora for native accessions from different areas of Jalisco: 2n, 3n, 4n and 6n. This was carried out placing the ends of roots in a 2mM 8-hidroxiquinoleine solution; a solution of acetic alcohol was used for fixing; chromosomes were tinted with acetoorcein. Findings showed that ploidy level is related to chloroplast number in stomata and stomata width. An alternative for producing hybrid plants in D. sparsiflora has been carrying pollen to feminine flowers. In these hybrids, tuber yield has been poor in the first life cycles, but it is possible to find variations among different hybrids. Hybrids were obtained using females and males from the 11 variations of the State of Jalisco. They were placed in two different environments (greenhouse and shade house). Greenhouse hybrids had a greater percentage of success (32%). Trying to get better genetic characteristics, D. sparsiflora and D. alata plants propagated in vitro were radiated with different dosages of Gamma rays and then acclimated to greenhouse conditions. To know if there were differences with treatments, mini tubers were weighed and measured. Results showed that D. sparsiflora resisted all dosages; those treated with 30 Gy and higher radiation treatments had the greatest size. For D. alata, seedlings radiated with 50 and 60 Gy did not survive. The highest number of mini tubers obtained were those radiated with 10 Gy, but the biggest ones were from mini tubers radiated with 20 Gy. These morphological changes in mini tubers could be considered variations due to a genetic change caused by Gamma radiation and the researched alternatives could be used for agricultural purposes in D. sparsiflora domestication process, obtaining the resource and not damaging wild populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya, DP) is known for the nutritional value of its tuber. Nevertheless, DP also has promising pharmacological properties. Compared with the tuber, the leaves of DP are still very little studied. However, it may be possible to draw conclusions about the plant quality based on the coloration of the leaves. Magnesium, as a component of chlorophyll, seems to play a role. Therefore, the aim of this research work was to develop an atomic absorption spectrometry-based method for the analysis of magnesium (285.2125 nm) in leaf extracts of DP following the graphite furnace sub-technique. The optimization of the pyrolysis and atomization temperatures resulted in 1500 °C and 1800 °C, respectively. The general presence of flavonoids in the extracts was detected and could explain the high pyrolysis temperature due to the potential complexation of magnesium. The elaborated method had linearity in a range of 1–10 µg L−1 (R2 = 0.9975). The limits of detection and quantification amounted to 0.23 µg L−1 and 2.00 µg L−1, respectively. The characteristic mass was 0.027 pg, and the recovery was 96.7–102.0%. Finally, the method was applied to extracts prepared from differently colored leaves of DP. Similar magnesium contents were obtained for extracts made of dried and fresh leaves. It is often assumed that the yellowing of the leaves is associated with reduced magnesium content. However, the results indicated that yellow leaves are not due to lower magnesium levels. This stimulates the future analysis of DP leaves considering other essential minerals such as molybdenum or manganese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the best fertilization rate and type of planting material for high yield performance of yam grown at Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, from March to December 2020. The fertilization schemes as Factor A and the three types of planting materials as Factor B were laid in a 3x3 factorial arrangement in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Results revealed that yam plants fertilized with Vermicast (5 T/ha) significantly exhibited the highest percentage survival, which differed from the rest of the fertilizer treatments. Likewise, yam plants fertilized with 5 T/ha vermicast significantly developed the longest vine from 6-12 weeks after planting. Vine cuttings as planting materials significantly exhibited the highest number of tubers per hill, the highest marketable yield of 18.40 T/ha, and a total tuber yield of 30.53 T/ha. Yam vine cuttings applied with the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer (20-15-45 kg/ha NPK) + 2.5 T/ha Vermicast gave the highest yield of 21,400 kg/ha and a net income of ₱545,403 with an ROI of 267.88%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental studies have been conducted to evaluate the induction of mini-tubers in vitro from shoots of Dioscorea pentaphylla L. as affected by applications of Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs). Amorphous nano-silica is a low-cost material and is considered biologically safe because of its biodegradability. A maximum number of mini-tubers (1.9) per shoot differentiated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) nutrient medium pre-optimized with growth regulators (0.5 mg L− 1mT/meta-Topolin and 0.1 mg L− 1 IAA/indole-3-acetic acid) supplemented with 8.0 mg L− 1 of SiNPs. Microscopic examination of tubers revealed the presence of outer cork, phellogen, adjacent chlorenchymatous tissues, parenchymatous ground tissue, and unevenly distributed collateral vascular bundles. The ground tissue exhibited dense starch grains and sclereids. The in vitro-developed mini-tubers could be subjected to short-term cold storage in the dark at -4 oC for 12 months on hormone-free MS medium. Shoot regeneration through organogenesis from 93.0% of the cold-stored tubers occurred on MS medium with 1.0 mg L− 1mT. The shoots proliferated on 0.5 mg L− 1mT and 0.1 mg L− 1 IAA and formed complete plantlets. All of the tuber-derived plantlets survived under ex vitro and in vivo environmental conditions. The process developed has the potential to serve as a novel technique for enhanced production of mini-tubers using SiNPs and in vitro conservation of germplasm of Dioscorea spp. Key Message: The effect of Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) on in vitro tuber formation (mini-tubers) was investigated for their potential application in the production, maintenance, and short-term storage of Dioscorea pentaphylla germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionBush yam (Dioscorea praehensilis Benth.) is an important semi-domesticated food crop in West Africa. Limited information on the genetic architecture and its poor post-harvest tuber quality traits significantly hinder its use as food and source of income. Hence, dissecting the genetics underlying the expression of its post-harvest tuber quality traits is essential for establishing proper breeding schemes.MethodsIn this study, 138 D. praehensilis accessions collected in Ghana were sequenced using Diversity Array Technology (DArTSeq). The materials were profiled for dry matter content (DMC), tuber flesh oxidation (TBOXI) and for tuber flesh hardness (TBhard) during two cropping seasons.Results and discussionDiversity assessment using population structure, principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering methods revealed the presence of three major groups. Six genetic models were used for the trait association analysis using multiple random locus mixed linear model (MrMLM). Sixteen SNP markers distributed across the yam genome were identified to be associated with the evaluated traits. The associated SNP markers displayed a phenotypic variance ranged from 4.22% in TBHard to 16.92% in TBOXI. A total 25 putative candidate genes were identified around the SNP markers. The putative genes were identified to play key roles in tuber bulking, oxidative browning and starch hydroxylase. This study provides a valuable insight on the genetics underlying tuber quality traits in bush yam and opens avenues for developing genomic resources to improve D. praehensilis.

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a staple food crop with cultural, nutritional and economic significance for millions of small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. While various virus-like symptoms such as mosaic and chlorosis are frequently observed in yam fields in Ethiopia, little information is available on the prevalence, distribution, and molecular characteristics of viruses causing these symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and distribution of yam viruses and determine the primary cause of yam mosaic diseases (YMD) in Ethiopia. Both symptomatic (n = 280) and asymptomatic (n = 110) yam leaf samples were collected and tested for potyviruses using ACP‐ELISA. In addition, the symptomatic leaf samples were screened for yam mosaic virus (YMV), yam mild mosaic virus (YMMV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) by DAS-ELISA. Subsequently, total RNA was extracted from 130 leaf samples comprising 94 symptomatic and 36 asymptomatic samples representing the different study areas. The representative RT-PCR amplicons (n = 6) were Sanger sequenced. The ACP-ELISA and DAS-ELISA results showed 9.2%, and 12.9% YMV infection, respectively, while the RT-PCR analysis showed 28.5% YMV positivity rate. Both CMV and YMMV were not detected in any of the samples tested. Thus, YMV is confirmed as the primary cause of YMD in Ethiopia. YMV isolates from Ethiopia shared 92–93% nucleotide identity among themselves and 85–99% with other YMV isolates from the GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that YMV isolates from Ethiopia, South America, and west-central Africa have the most recent common ancestor, while isolates from China and Japan are clustered as sister groups. This study enhances our understanding of YMV's genetic diversity and provides valuable information regarding the first report of YMV in Ethiopia.

In order to comprehensive evaluate the effects of different drying pretreatment on the quality and microstructure of yam slices. Fresh sliced yam was pretreated by three different methods: High voltage electrostatic field, ultra-high pressure and freezing. Low field nuclear magnetic resonance and characteristic drying curve were used to determine yam's water status, distribution and content, and analyze changes in microstructure, color, rehydration and other characteristics. Results showed that the freezing pretreatment had the most severe damage on yam slices and the minimum drying time, reduced moisture ratio to 0.1 in 160 min. The high voltage electrostatic field pretreatment was better than other methods in preserving the microstructure of yam. The content of original pectin and cellulose in yam were significantly (P

In this study, the effects of storage at 4 ℃ for 0, 30 and 60 d on the phenolic content and browning key enzyme activities of fresh-cut yam during shelf life were investigated using 'Changshan fine hair yam' vegetable yam and 'Henan Wenxian' iron stick yam as test materials. The results showed that the browning index of both fresh-cut yams increased with the extension of shelf life, but with the extension of storage period, the browning index of vegetable yam was lower, while the browning index of iron stick yam was higher. At the 8th day of shelf period, the browning index of fresh-cut vegetable yam stored for 30 d was only 4.6% lower than that stored for 60 days, with no significant difference, while the browning index of fresh-cut iron stick yam for the same period was 8.4% lower than that stored for 60 days, and the difference was significant (P

Soil fumigation is considered a method to control soil-borne diseases and solve crop continuous cropping obstacles. However, fumigant residues in the soil are detrimental to soil health. Though substrate cultivation is a cultivation mode that can promote plant growth, studies to date on whether substrate cultivation can replace soil fumigation for the control of soil pathogens are limited. In this study, the effects of chloropicrin fumigation (Pic) and substrate cultivation (SC) on yam growth, soil pathogens, soil nutrients, and microbial communities were demonstrated using a 2-year field experiment. The results showed that SC significantly increased the content of soil organic matter (SOM), available phosphorus, and available potassium compared with Pic. In addition, SC could effectively reduce the number of Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp., decrease the rate of diseased yam plants, and significantly increase the yam yield. Moreover, SC significantly increased the abundance of beneficial microorganisms such as Actinobacteriota, Acidobacteriota, and Bacillus in soil. Correlation analysis showed that yam yield exhibited a negative relation with the number of soil pathogens and a positive correlation with SOM. Our study suggests that substrate cultivation can be an alternative to soil fumigation to control soil pathogens and protect soil health.

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is an important tuber crop consumed globally. However, stable yam production faces challenges from a variety of diseases caused by fungi, nematodes, viruses, and bacteria. Prominent diseases such as anthracnose, leaf spot, yam wilt, dry rot, and crazy root syndrome, currently pose serious threats to yam yields. These diseases not only result in quality degradation but also cause great economic losses. This review summarizes the damages, symptoms, causal agents, and epidemic factors of major yam diseases. It also outlines a comprehensive disease control strategy that includes the use of resistant varieties, proper crop rotation, sanitation measures, and the application of agrochemicals and biocontrol agents. Additionally, this review addresses future perspectives on risk factors and knowledge gaps, aiming to serve as a reference for in-depth research into advanced disease monitoring and control technologies for yams.