RESPUESTA DE TEJIDOS EMBRIOGENICOS DE ÑAME (Dioscorea alata var. 'Pico de botella') A Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Yam tuber production has been affected for anthracnose, decreasing farmers´ incomes. Genetic resistance has been attempted; however, the species narrow genetic base favors fungal re-infection. Selection of new cultivars is hampered by low flowering and seed setting. The ability of embryogenic cultures to generate in vitro resistance to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides by co-culturing proembryogenic masses (PEMs) with several concentrations of the fungal filtrate was evaluated. PEMs were induced from “Pico de botella” var. foliar explants on MS supplied with 2,4-D. Proliferated PEMs were challengedwith several concentrations of the culture filtrate and dually cultured with fungal mycelia. PEMs showed susceptibility to fungal filtrate and mycelia. No embryos were recovered from challenged or filtrate-free PEMs.