Biotech Updates

High Cassava Genetic Diversity Found in Colombia

October 10, 2012

Scientists from the National University of Colombia (UN) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) have found cassava genotypes with high genetic variability based on the collections acquired from the departments of Atlántico, Magdalena, Córdoba and Sucre.

Scientists evaluated 717 cassava genotypes collected. Using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), they established six genetic differences that account for 81% of the variation. Project director and UN Professor Franco Alirio Vallejo concluded that the genetic variation measures showed that there is high heterozygosity (HI: 0.56087). This confirms the crosslinking of cassava and its highly heterozygous nature. Its cross-pollination condition favors the segregation and the generation of new genetic variability.

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