Abstract

This study is part of the context of the development and sustainable management of neglected plant genetic resources in Côte d'Ivoire, including taro. The objective is to characterize the morphological diversity within taro accessions of the genus Xanthosoma from four geographical areas of Côte d'Ivoire. The study took place in the central, eastern, western and southern geographical areas of Côte d'Ivoire, involving 119 accessions of taro genus Xanthosoma comprising four morphotypes (M1, M2, M3 and M7). These accessions have been characterized based on traits related to the plant's habit, leaves, main tuber and secondary tubers, revealing a considerable morphological diversity. The observed traits were highly discriminating, leading to the identification of four homogeneous classes. The morphotypes M1, M2, M3 and M7 played a crucial role in classifying the 119 accessions of the taro genus Xanthosoma, with each class exclusively containing one of the four morphotypes. Classes 1 and 2, containing the M2 and M1 morphotypes, respectively, were closely related. These results demonstrate that the majority of taro accessions in Côte d'Ivoire can be characterized by the presence of four morphotypes: M1, M2, M3 and M7. Taro breeding efforts could be directed based on these four Xanthosoma morphotypes.

Key words: Diversity, taro, morphotypes, sustainable management, Xanthosoma.