Seed yam production by minisett technique: evaluation of three Dioscorea species in the Guinea and derived Savanna zone of Nigeria
1989
Kalu, B.A. (Jos Univ., Makurdi (Nigeria). Dept. of Crop Production)
Field trials were carried out in Makundi, Nigeria on one local variety each of Dioscorea rotundata Poir (cv. Dan Onitcha), D. alata L. (cv. Obuna) and D. cayenensis Lam. (cv OKu) to assess their suitability for use as minisetts for rapid seed yam production. For each species, minisetts weighing 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 g were each cut from the head, middle and tail regions of the mother tubers. Setts were treated with Aldrex T, cured overnight and planted directly at a 0.25m x 1m spacing on ridges. For the head, middle and tail portions at the specified weights of the minisetts, emergence percentages were consistently higher in D. alata than in either D. rotundata and D. cayenensis. Days to 50 % establishment were shortest in D. alata and longest in D. cayenensis. Heavier tubers at harvest was obtained from D. alata (285-630g) than from D. rotundata (105-450g) and D. cayenensis (40-230g). The potential value of the use of the minisett technique appeared more promising for D. alata and D. rotundata than for D. cayenensis.
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