Sett production and germplasm maintenance through vine cuttings in yams

Authors

  • Malachy O. Akoroda International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Private Mail Bag 5320, Ibadan, Nigeria
  • Lawerence U. Okonmah International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Private Mail Bag 5320, Ibadan, Nigeria

Keywords:

Dioscorea rotundata, Dioscorea alata, Plant breeding

Abstract

Five-year studies on four- to six-node leafy vine cuttings of Dioscorea rotundata and D. alata were conducted at Ibadan, Nigeria. The established plantlets from these cuttings in bags and in the field were observed for their ability to produce large setts for farmers and researchers and as a means of maintaining germplasm collections in a live form. Based on a D. alata clone (TDa 291) an estimated field production of 5400 setts of at least 250 g, or 13 248 setts of at least 200 g, can be expected per hectare at 0.5 x 0.5 m spacing. The advantages of using plantlets from vine cuttings for conserving yam genotypes are discussed.

Issue

Section

Research Papers