This study identifies genetic loci associated with branching traits in cassava, showing their genetic tractability and potential for genomic selection in breeding programs.

bioRxiv · Feb 12, 2026 · PreprintGenetics

Chromosome evolution and the genetic basis of agronomically important traits in greater yam

Jessen V. Bredeson, Jessica B. Lyons, Ibukun O. Oniyinde, Nneka R. Okereke, Olufisayo A. Kolade, Ikenna Nnabue, Christian O. Nwadili, Eva Hřibová, Matthew T Parker, Jeremiah Sunday Nwogha, Shengqiang Shu, Joseph W. Carlson, Robert Kariba, Samuel Muthemba, Katarzyna Knop, , Daniel S. Rokhsar

This paper presents a chromosome-scale genome assembly and genetic map for greater yam, identifies quantitative trait loci for disease and quality traits, and reveals domestication-related genetic patterns.

Nature Communications · Apr 14, 2022Peer-reviewedGenomics

Validation of SNP markers for marker-assisted selection of genotypes with increased carotenoid and dry matter contents in cassava

Adenike D. Ige, Bunmi Olasanmi, Guillaume Jean Bauchet, Siraj Ismail Kayondo, Edwige Gaby Nkouaya Mbanjo, Ruth Uwugiaren, Sharon Motomura‐Wages, Joanna Norton, Chiedozie Ngozi Egesi, Elizabeth Yaa Parkes, Peter Kulakow, Hernán Ceballos, Ismail Yusuf Rabbi

The paper validates SNP markers for marker-assisted selection in cassava to improve carotenoid and dry matter content, showing high correlation for carotenoids but lower for dry matter.

bioRxiv · Jan 27, 2022 · PreprintGenomics

Genome-wide association analysis reveals new insights into the genetic architecture of defensive, agro-morphological and quality-related traits in cassava

Ismail Yusuf Rabbi, Siraj Ismail Kayondo, Guillaume Jean Bauchet, Muyideen Yusuf, Cynthia Idhigu Aghogho, Kayode Ogunpaimo, Ruth Uwugiaren, Ikpan Andrew Smith, Prasad Peteti, Afolabi Agbona, Elizabeth Parkes, Lydia Ezenwaka, Marnin D. Wolfe, Jean‐Luc Jannink, Chiedozie Ngozi Egesi, Peter Kulakow

This study performs a genome-wide association analysis on cassava to identify genetic loci associated with defensive, agro-morphological, and quality traits, uncovering 41 significant associations and candidate genes.

Plant Molecular Biology · Jul 30, 2020Peer-reviewedGenetics

Introgressed Manihot glaziovii Alleles in Modern Cassava Germplasm Benefit Important Traits and Are Under Balancing Selection

Marnin D. Wolfe, Guillaume Jean Bauchet, Ariel W. Chan, Roberto Daniel Lozano, Punna Ramu, Chiedozie Ngozi Egesi, R. Kawuki, Peter Kulakow, Ismail Yusuf Rabbi, Jean‐Luc Jannink

The paper identifies beneficial introgressed alleles from M. glaziovii in modern cassava germplasm, showing they improve traits like yield and disease tolerance and are under balancing selection.

bioRxiv · May 1, 2019 · PreprintGenetics

Prospects for genomic selection in cassava breeding

Marnin D. Wolfe, Dunia Pino Del Carpio, Olumide Alabi, Lydia Ezenwaka, Ugochukwu Nathaniel Ikeogu, Siraj Ismail Kayondo, Roberto Daniel Lozano, Uche Godfrey Okeke, Alfred Ozimati, Williams Esuma, Chiedozie Ngozi Egesi, R. Kawuki, Peter Kulakow, Ismail Yusuf Rabbi, Jean‐Luc Jannink

This study evaluates genomic selection accuracy in cassava breeding across different prediction models and scenarios, finding that training population size significantly impacts accuracy.

The Plant Genome · Sep 28, 2017Peer-reviewedGenetics

Cassava HapMap: Masking deleterious mutations in a clonal crop species

Punna Ramu, Williams Esuma, R. Kawuki, Ismail Yusuf Rabbi, Chiedozie Ngozi Egesi, Jessen V. Bredeson, Rebecca S Bart, Janu Verma, Edward S. Buckler, Fei Lü

The paper constructs a cassava haplotype map to evaluate deleterious mutations, finding increased fixed deleterious variants, limited purging due to low recombination, and masking of harmful mutations in breeding.

bioRxiv · Dec 23, 2016 · PreprintGenetics