Biofortification of taro (Colocasia esculenta) through breeding for increased contents in carotenoids and anthocyanins

Biofortification of taro (Colocasia esculenta) has never been studied. The aim of the present study is to compare the chemical compositions and individual constituent contents for major compounds (starch, sugars, cellulose, proteins, minerals), carotenoids and anthocyanins between parents and hybrids selected first for their agronomic performance and second for their corm characteristics (flesh colour, quality and taste). For major compounds, 45 selected hybrids were compared to 66 cultivars and for carotenoids and anthocyanins, 34 selected hybrids were compared to 79 cultivars. All plants were planted the same day within the same plot and harvested together to avoid environmental factors effects. Total sugars, cellulose and minerals contents presented moderate increases in hybrids. Carotenoids and anthocyanins contents were correlated with corm flesh colours. Anthocyanins contents could not be increased in the selected hybrids. However, total carotenoids contents were increased by more than four folds in the hybrids. The results of this study indicate that carotenoids contents can be rapidly improved by selecting plants of good agronomic performance and corm shape with increased density of yellow and orange colours. Potential applications to taro breeding programmes are discussed. (Résumé d'auteur