Diversity analysis of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam)

Diversity analysis of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) accessions from North Central Nigeria using Morphological and Simple Sequence Repeats Markers was carried out with the aim of determining the genetic similarities and variability that existed among them and hence provide baseline information for plant breeders to utilize in developing better varieties. A total of 20 potato accessions collected from six states (Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and Abuja) in north central Nigeria were planted in the field at the Teaching and Research farm of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi for morphological characterization. The field experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCB) with 5 replications. Observations were made on 21 morphological characters at 90 days after planting (DAP). Molecular markers analysis was carried out at the Molecular Biology laboratory of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi. Genomic DNA for molecular characterization was extracted from young leaves (20 DAP) located at the tip of the main vine of the sweet potato plant using DNA Zol extraction protocol.