Why Is Yam Planted In Mounds?

The advantage of the mound system in yam production includes loose soil conditions for easy tuber penetration, the collection of fertile topsoil, water control, and ease of harvesting. In addition, loose soil holds plenty of water and produces well-shaped yam tubers.

Do you Mound yams?

Plant the tubers 25cm apart about 6-8cm deep, in rows 45cm apart. Mounding up the plants as you would for potatoes seems to increase the size of the tubers. Yams are ready to harvest when the green tops die down in autumn. Mark the position of each plant so you’ll know where to find them when they are dormant.

How are yam planted?

Planting is done by seed yam or cut setts from ware tubers. One day before planting, the tubers have to be subjected to treatment with wood ash or a fungicide (thiabendazole) to prevent damage to the soils. The setts are planted at an interval of 15–20 centimetres (5.9–7.9 in) with the cut face facing up.

Where is yam planted?

Yams are starchy staples in the form of large tubers produced by annual and perennial vines grown in Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, South Pacific and Asia. There are hundreds of wild and domesticated Dioscorea species.

Can yam be planted on ridges?

Traditionally, yam has been grown on ridges and mounds over the years because the tubers require low soil bulk density for bulking. is is attributed to the nature of yam bulking in soil.

Do yams grow above ground?

Sweet potatoes are part of the morning glory family, so they grow like typical tubers, underground with trailing vines above ground. Yams grow more like ornamental grasses and lilies, so they’re a root of a flowering plant.

When should yams be planted?

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 land preparation of yam?

Land Preparation of Yam
The weeds would be allowed to dry up with the soil to form organic manure. The months of February and April are best to plant yams when the rainy season is just beginning. Cutlass is used toridges or mounds are made with hoe. It can also be done by ploughing, harrowing and ridging mechanically.

How many months does it take yam to mature?

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.

Is yam a climbing plant?

yam / yam/ • n. 1. the edible starchy tuber of a climbing plant, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical countries.

Why are they called yams?

African slaves had already been calling the ‘soft’ sweet potatoes ‘yams’ because they resembled the yams in Africa. Thus, ‘soft’ sweet potatoes were referred to as ‘yams’ to distinguish them from the ‘firm’ varieties.

What is the life cycle of yam?

Yam growing cycle
Yam is a perennial plant, although it is treated as an annual one. Growth takes place in three distinct phases, which develop over 12 months and repeat indefinitely during the life of the plant. For this reason, it is said that the yam is a perennial grown as an annual.

Why is yam staked?

Staking especially in the humid forest is carried out to help the twining yam stems display their leaves to attract adequate solar energy for efficient photosynthesis (Orkwor and Asadu,1998).

How do you increase the yield of a yam?

Some approaches to producing quality seed of yam are as follows: farmers select small whole tubers from a ware crop harvest; stimulate the production of seed tubers by ‘milking’ ware tubers while the leaves of the plant are still green (double harvest system); cut ware tubers into setts about the same sizes as regular

What is the spacing for yam?

The normally recommended spacing of yams for commercial yam production is 1 m × 1 m between rows and stands, respectively (10,000 stands/ha). Use narrower spacing (1 m × 0.25 m) for smaller sets (e.g., 30 g).

Where do yams grow best?

Yams require a fertile, well-drained soil with a high organic matter content. Plant at the beginning of summer in areas that receive a wet season. They will grow in full sun or semi-shade but need a trellis.

What’s the difference between a sweet potato and a yam?

Yams are starchy and have a rough, brown exterior. They can grow up to 45 feet long and are eaten in parts of Latin America, West Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia. Sweet potatoes are a New World root vegetable, have a softer, reddish skin, a creamier interior, and often, a darker interior.

What happens if you don’t mound potatoes?

If you don’t hill your potatoes, you are more likely to end up with green tubers. This happens when potatoes are exposed to sunlight. This potato has been exposed to sunlight and turned green as a result.

Do sweet potatoes have to be planted in mounds?

Sweet potatoes aren’t too picky, but they do prefer soil on the sandier side. They need plenty of air space in the soil for roots to reach down. If your soil is clay, rocky, or compacted, consider growing in raised beds.

Why do you Mound potatoes?

above the soil surface, they are hilled up again. If there is the danger of a late frost, young tender potato plants can be completely covered with this soil to protect them from frost damage. Hilling up potatoes also helps keep weeds down around the potato root zone, so the potatoes are not competing for nutrients.

How many days does it take yam to germinate?

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.