Characteristics of dry matter production and partitioning in edible yam (Dioscorea spp.) cultivars. (434)

Abstract

Seven yam and (Dioscorea spp.) cultivars belonging to three different species, D. rotundata, D. alata, and D. esculenta were grown in the field. The yield was found to be highest in D. rotundata followed by D. alata and D. esculenta. The rate of dry matter (DM) production (mean crop growth rate) did not show significant association with tuber yield. But partitioning of DM (harvest index) showed significant positive association in D. rotundata (r = 0.9543*), D. alata (r = 0.9376*), and D. esculenta (r = 0.9614*). The regression analysis of partitioning of DM to different plant parts showed significant DM accumulation in vines. The highest partitioning coefficient for tuber growth in D. rotundata (b = 0.6994) cv. Sree Priya suggested better utilization of DM and showed highest tuber yield.