SS 1 Third Term Agricultural Science Lesson Note – Husbandry of Selected Crops: Yam: Dioscorea spp

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Yam: Dioscorea spp

DESCRIPTION OF YAM

Yam is believed to have originated in India and it is popularly cultivated in Southern and middle belt of Nigeria. Yam has stems which are usually twining. They have vines and some have thorns.

VARIETIES: These are

White yam: Dioscorea rotundata

Yellow yam : Dioscorea cayenensis

Water yam: Dioscorea alata

Trifoliate yam: Dioscorea domentorum

Aerial yam: Dioscorea bulbefera

Chinese yam: Dioscorea esculenta

METHOD OF PROPAGATION: Yam is propagated by 1. Seed yam 2. Yam sett  3.  Whole tuber.

CLIMATIC AND SOIL REQUIREMENT: The temperature ranges from 25ºC to 30ºC. The annual rainfall is about 1000-1500mm.

LAND PREPARATION: The land is cleared and burnt. The soil should be well drained rich loamy soil to clay loamy soil. Yam should be planted on ridges, moulds or flat soil.

SPACING: 75-90cm between and within rows and should be 15cm deep

PLANTING DATE: Early planting start from November to December in riverine areas and March to early June for late planting in forest areas.

MANURE AND FERTILIZER APPLICATION: NPK 10:10:20 should be applied 8 weeks after planting. Potassium is needed during tuber formation. Organic manure may also be applied.

CULTURAL PRACTICES

1. Mulching (covering of soil surface with dry grass, leaves and other mulching materials)
2. Weeding (which should be regular) [the removal of unwanted plants]
3. Fertilizer application (as explained above) for example: NPK 10:11:20
4. Staking (supporting the vines and tendrils with stick or Bamboo)
5. Training of vines (assisting the vines to coil round the stake)

HARVESTING

Harvesting period is

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