(PTFS17-02-26) Genomic Diversity Is Linked to Nutritional Trait Variation in Indigenous Ghanaian Crops

Monday, July 27, 2026

2:34 PM - 2:38 PM ET

Location: Prince George's Hall B-E (The Hub) - Poster Theater 1 / Poster Board Number: PT1-2

Presenting Author(s)

EA

Eunice A. Amponsah, MPhil/BSc (she/her/hers)

Student
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kumasi, Central, Ghana

Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

PA

Pearl Agyekum

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
LE

Linda Esi Aduku

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
CA

Charles Apprey

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
SA

Selena Ahmed, PhD, FAHA

American Heart Association, United States
NN

Nilendra Nair, PhD, MBBS, MSc

American Heart Association
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
RA

Reginald Annan

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
HL

Herman Lutterodt

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana

Disclosure(s):

Eunice A. Amponsah, MPhil/BSc: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Objectives: Indigenous crops support food security, yet the nutritional relevance of within-crop genetic diversity is undercharacterized. We examined whether genomic variation is associated with proximate composition in cassava, tomato, and Bambara groundnut varieties in Ghana to inform nutrition-sensitive variety selection and future breeding priorities.

Methods: In Bono East Region, Ghana, eight cassava, four tomato, and three Bambara groundnut varieties underwent PCR, targeted sequencing, variant calling, and phylogenetic analysis. Proximate composition (moisture, fat, fiber, protein, ash, carbohydrate) was measured using standard methods and compared across varieties. Variety differences were tested at p< 0.05 and interpreted alongside diversity metrics.

Results: Cassava showed the greatest nucleotide diversity (0.0271 to 0.2268) and significant variation across all proximate traits (all p≤0.009), with carbohydrate exceeding 86% across varieties. Tomato showed substantial polymorphism (0.0067 to 0.2108) and significant differences in ash, fat, protein, and carbohydrate (p=0.006 to 0.049). Bambara groundnut showed lower polymorphism (0.0223) with significant differences in protein and carbohydrate (p=0.001 to 0.002). Across crops, higher marker polymorphism corresponded with greater biochemical variation, and polymorphisms in starch- and resistance-related genes aligned with carbohydrate and protein differences, supporting a genetic contribution to nutrition-relevant traits.

Conclusions: Genetic diversity in indigenous Ghanaian crops is associated with meaningful variation in nutritional traits. Integrating genomic screening with compositional phenotyping provides a scalable framework for identifying nutrient-dense varieties and supporting nutrition-sensitive agriculture through breeding, seed systems, and variety recommendations.

Funding Sources: N/A