Institute Of Crop Science, CAFS And UPLB-Philippine Genome Center For Agriculture Intensify Efforts To Develop And Propagate Superior Ubi Or Purple Yam Varieties Through Advanced Breeding And Genomics

Professors and researchers from the Institute of Crop Science (ICropS) of the College of Agriculture and Food Science (UPLB-CAFS), in collaboration with the Philippine Genome Center for Agriculture (UPLB-PGC), are intensifying efforts to strengthen the country’s greater yam or “ubi” industry through the development and propagation of improved purple yam varieties with higher yield, deeper purple flesh color, and enhanced nutritional quality.

The project is led by Dr. Antonio G. Lalusin, Professor 12 from ICropS, who together with his research team is implementing a multidisciplinary breeding and biotechnology approach that integrates conventional selection, chemical mutation breeding, whole-genome sequencing, and large-scale propagation of elite planting materials.

Greater yam (Dioscorea alata L.) is one of the Philippines’ most important root crops, valued for its unique flavor, vibrant purple color, and high antioxidant content. Despite its economic and cultural importance, productivity remains constrained by the lack of improved planting materials and low-yielding traditional varieties.

The research project aims to identify and develop yam accessions with desirable traits such as high yield, high dry matter content, resistance to pests and diseases, and elevated levels of anthocyanins and antioxidants. These traits are essential for improving both farm productivity and the nutritional value of yam-based products.

“Purple yam is a high-value crop with strong market demand locally and internationally. However, production is still limited due to the scarcity of improved planting materials. Through this project, we aim not only to develop superior varieties but also to ensure their rapid multiplication and distribution to farmers,” the research team explained.

The ongoing work builds on an earlier phase where 188 greater yam accessions collected across the Philippines were evaluated using morphological and molecular analyses. The study revealed high genetic diversity, indicating strong potential for genetic improvement and variety development.

From this germplasm collection, several promising accessions were selected based on deep purple flesh color, good tuber shape, and superior yield performance. Some accessions also showed high anthocyanin content, which contributes to antioxidant properties and increasing consumer demand for healthy and functional foods.

To further enhance genetic variability, selected yam accessions are being subjected to chemical mutagenesis, while elite lines are undergoing whole-genome sequencing, including the widely cultivated “Kinampay” variety. These genomic resources provide critical information for precise breeding and trait selection.

Importantly, the project also includes the propagation and mass multiplication of selected elite lines to ensure the availability of high-quality planting materials. Promising genotypes identified through field evaluation and genomic analysis are being multiplied through propagation and other suitable vegetative techniques to accelerate their distribution to farmers and support future varietal release.

Researchers emphasize that the integration of advanced breeding tools with rapid propagation strategies is essential to bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and field adoption. This approach ensures that improved varieties are not only developed but also efficiently deployed to production areas.

The project is expected to significantly contribute to the sustainable development of the Philippine yam industry by providing farmers with improved planting materials and generating scientific data for conservation and future breeding programs.

Beyond farmers, the initiative will also benefit processors, researchers, students, and stakeholders in the root crop value chain. The availability of improved purple yam varieties is expected to open new opportunities for food processing, export markets, and value-added products such as baked goods, snacks, and health-oriented foods.

Greater yam remains deeply embedded in Filipino culture, particularly in traditional delicacies and emerging modern food innovations. Researchers remain optimistic that continued investment in breeding, genomics, and propagation technologies will revitalize the ubi industry and strengthen its long-term competitiveness in both local and global markets.

The said project is funded by the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR).