Agronomic performance and genetic diversity of the root crop yam bean (Pachyrhizus spp.) under West African conditions [Elektronische Ressource] / by Ahissou Séraphin Zanklan

Agronomic performance and genetic diversity of the root crop yam bean (Pachyrhizus spp.) under West African conditions Doctoral Dissertation Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Agricultural Sciences of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences Georg-August University Göttingen Germany by Ahissou Séraphin Zanklan from Porto-Novo, Benin Göttingen, July 2003 D7 st1 examiner: Prof. Dr. Heiko C. Becker nd2 examiner: Prof. Dr. Elke Pawelzik Date of oral examination: 17 July 2003 To my parents, brothers and sisters Table of contents List of Abbreviations...................................................................................iii List of Figures..........................................iv List of Tables...............................................................................................v 1. Introduction and literature review...........................................................1 1.1. Background and objectives......................................................1 1.2. The genus Pachyrhizus............................................................4 1.2.1. Botanical description, taxonomy and ecogeographic requirements.............................................................................4 1.2.2. Agronomy and breeding...........................................................9 1.