Because yam plants reproduce via vegetative propagation using tubers, the harvest also supplies planting materials for subsequent cultivation.
What type of propagation is yam?
Propagation Yams are propagated vegetatively from small tubers. Land should be prepared for planting by plowing and harrowing. Tubers should be planted in trenches to a depth of 15 cm (6 in) allowing at least 30 cm (12 in) between individual plants and 1.5 m (5 ft) between rows.
Do yams produce seeds?
Yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) is a major staple and cash crop for millions of households in West Africa, where about 93% of the world crop is produced. The tuber serves as food and seed. Depending on the size, seed tubers are often cut into setts, minisetts, or planted whole.
Which part of yam is propagated?
tuber
Traditionally, ‘seed’ yams or setts (tuber portions) are used for propagation. The yam tuber, which contains a deposit of starch, does not have dormant buds as found on a typical tuber such as potato (Solanum tuberosum).
How many months do yams mature?
about 14 weeks
Yams typically take about 14 weeks to mature. They should be harvested when the tops of plants start to go yellow and wither. Harvesting generally occurs in autumn. Remove yams from the soil.
What is the maturity period of yam?
8-11 months
Most edible yams normally reach maturity 8-11 months after planting, but some first harvest after 5 months. The growth period ends at the end of the rainy season.
What is the best month to plant yam?
Yams are frost tender and so they need to be planted when the risk of frost has passed around October-November, and harvested in autumn, early winter after the first frost has knocked the tops and they start to die down.
What is the seed of yam?
Seed yam tubers (SYT) are traditionally used as planting material. Seed yams could be small, whole tuber weighing 5 – 100 g regarded as tubercles. A tuber 150 – 250 g is known to be a normal seed yam, and a tuber 500 – 1000 g is a large seed yam (As- umugba et al., 2007).
Can yam be propagated by stem?
Stem collection is done 3-5 months after planting the yam into the field, when the main stems have grown lateral branches. It is best to use lateral branches (side shoots) so as not to disturb the growth of the main plant. Select side shoots with more than 3 nodes.
What type of plant is yam?
Yams are a monocot (a plant having one embryonic seed leaf) and from the Dioscoreaceae or Yam family. Sweet Potatoes, often called ‘yams’, are a dicot (a plant having two embryonic seed leaves) and are from the Convolvulacea or morning glory family.
Where do yams grow?
True yams are grown in the tropical climate of the Caribbean and Africa and imported to America. It’s not often I find one in the grocery store, but I did recently. The yam I found in the produce section was grown in Peru. The sweet potato, which was marketed as a yam, was grown on a North Carolina farm.
How long does it take for yam to sprout?
six weeks
Rotate the yam every day to ensure it receives even sunlight. Change out the water when it appears cloudy The cloudiness results from starch transferring from the yam to the water. Allow a minimum of six weeks for the yam to sprout a vine. Place the yam in a larger jar if it grows too large for the starter jar.
How do you propagate plants?
- Find an area that you’d like to cut.
- Fill a tall, skinny glass with water and place your cutting into the water.
- In about a week, roots will begin to sprout from the bottom of your cutting.
- Once the root system has developed and you have at least one strong root that is about 4” long, it’s time to pot your new plant.
Can you cut and replant sweet potato vine?
Propagating sweet potato vines is a great way to take a single plant and multiply it into many. Rooting cuttings or dividing them can easily produce lots of new, beautiful foliage to fill your garden and summer planters.
Can yam Stem be planted?
Farmers can plant their yam as soon as the rain stabilises. But some people plant theirs during the dry season – that is between January and March. However, the farmer who is planting at such period should be conscious of the sun; because the temperature would be high.
What is the difference between yam seed and seed yam?
Seed yam ready for planting. Tubers produced from seed yam are genetically identical to the mother seed material, while those produced from yam seeds have an identity different from the parent material. In West Africa, farmer-saved seeds are the predominant source of planting material (Nweke et al. 2011).
Can yam be planted all year round?
“Some people plant their yam during the dry season, which is between January and March. However, the farmer who is planting at such period should be conscious of the sun.
How do I know when to harvest my yams?
I found that the most advantageous time to harvest is when the starch content of the leaf is at minimum levels. It’s as this point that the lower leaves start to turn yellow. I established that this happened before the whole leaves started to decompose, some six months after planting had been done in the rainy season.
How deep do you plant yams?
Plant the tubers about 10 cm deep and backfill with potting mix. Position the pots in full sun. Water in well.
What fertilizer is best for yam?
Yams respond well to Organic Fertilizers like compost – a mixture of decayed organic matter composed of plant parts and animal manures.
Is chicken manure good for yam?
Synergistic use of oil palm bunch ash + poultry manure at 10 t ha−1 each was most effective for sustainable management of soils and for improving agronomic productivity of yam.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.