Ex Situ Conservation and Genetic Diversity Assessment in the Iluko Indigenous Dioscorea “Bugaâ€

Abstract

The wild Dioscorea “buga†is an Iluko indigenous root crop which has high potential for food. While it is a recognized food plant, information on it is wanting. The plant’s botany, ecology, ethnobotany, utilization and conservation were documented in selected sites in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra and Cagayan. Germplasm materials were also assembled and conserved as living plant collections in a field genebank at MMSU, Batac City. For a more cost-effective germplasm management in the ex situ conservation, the sample of “buga†plants were characterized morphologically and genetic diversity was estimated using the standardized Shannon Weaver’s diversity index and NTSYS-pc. The “buga†plant is distinct for the spiny anchor roots, big underground tubers and long stolons which suspend the tubers. As a wild plant, it exhibits some adaptive mechanisms enabling it to survive in the wild or cope with existing environmental conditions to which it is exposed. Linguistics, ethnobotany and indigenous knowledge systems suggest that the plant had long existed and used as an integral part of human diet in the rural areas in the Ilocos, but its use had decreased through the years. Further, conservation of the crop remains neglected. This study is so far the first conservation initiative on “buga†in the Ilocos Region. The sample of the “buga†plants is estimated to be of high genetic diversity (H’=0.79). In addition, multivariate analysis showed that each accession is unique, no duplication, and no distinct clustering of accessions coming from a particular geographic source. Experiences on the ex situ conservation of the plant had led to the improvement of a POT for genebank establishment and management. Assembly of accessions from areas still unrepresented in the collection is recommended. Some strategies were also recommended to improve in situ (on-farm) conservation of the crop, particularly on maximizing its utilization.

 

Keywords: Ex situ Conservation, Buga