Scarcelli Nora auteur aut IRD Tostain Serge auteur aut IRD Vigouroux Yves auteur aut IRD Agbangla C. auteur aut IRD Dainou O. auteur aut IRD Pham Jean-Louis auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access The impact of traditional farmers' management on genetic diversity of vegetatively propagated crops is poorly documented. In this study, we analysed the impact of ennoblement of spontaneous yams, an original traditional farmers' practice, on the genetic diversity of yam (Dioscorea sp.) in Benin. We used 11 microsatellite markers on yam tubers from a small village in northern Benin and demonstrated that wild x cultivated hybrids are spontaneously formed. Many of the spontaneous yams collected by farmers from surrounding savannah areas for ennoblement were shown to be of wild and hybrid genotypes. Moreover, we demonstrated that some yam varieties have a wild or hybrid signature. Lastly, we performed a broader ranging genetic analysis on yam material from throughout Benin and showed that this practice is used in different ecological and ethno-linguistic regions. Through this practice, farmers create new varieties with new genetic combinations via sexual reproduction of wild and cultivated yams. This system, whereby a sexual cycle and asexual propagation are mixed, ensures potential large-scale cultivation of the best genotypes while preserving the potential for future adaptation. specialized Dioscorea sp farmers' practices sexual reproduction vegetatively propagated crop wild crop relatives 076 15 9 2421-2431 2006 0962-1083 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010035705 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.02958.x 0962-1083 [F B010035705] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010035705 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2006/08/010035705.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2006-08-30 2017-08-23 fdi:010035705 fre