Effects of planting density, height of staking and variety on yield and yield components of the lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta)

Abstract

Two trials were conducted at Saramandi Research Station in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea. In both trials two varieties of the lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta) were grown at three planting densities (2500, 4444 and 10 000 plants ha-1) with three staking heights (0, 1.5 and 3.0 m). The effect of tall stakes (3.0 m) was greatest at the lowest planting density but at the higher densities there was no advantage in increasing staking height above 1.5 m. Total yields were greatest at the highest density, but when planting material requirements were taken into account there was no apparent advantage in increasing density above 4444 plants ha-1.