Evaluation of yam cultivars for seed yam production, using the minisett technique

Sprouting and yield of yam (Dioscorea spp.) minisetts in relation to sett size, soil moisture and agro-ecology

“…TDr 95/18922 sprouted best across the size categories. Igwilo and Okoli (1988) also found genetic variation in sprouting ability. No effect of sett size was observed in D. alata.…”

“…Minisett size and the kind of nursery medium affect the rate and uniformity of sprouting (George 1990). Plants established from minisetts of D. rotundata are very sensitive and vulnerable to weed competition (Igwilo and Okoli 1988) and soil moisture stress influences their growth (Onwueme 1975). Yam minisetts treated with fungicide and buried in media on nursery beds, trays or boxes for sprouting before transfer to the field have better and more uniform sprouting (IITA 1995) but the additional cost and the difficulty of the procedure have limited its adoption by farmers (Chikwendu et al 1995).…”

THE ADAPTED YAM MINISETT TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCING CLEAN SEED YAMS (DIOSCOREA ROTUNDATA): AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND VARIETAL DIFFERENCES UNDER FARMER-MANAGED CONDITIONS IN NIGERIA

“…Nonetheless, the results raise the interesting question as to whether similar interactions may be observed with other yam varieties, and this seems to be highly likely. Varietal differences in germination rate noted by Igwilo and Okoli (1988) have already been mentioned, and it may also suggest that some yam varieties are more susceptible to pest and disease than are others, a claim often made by farmer, but there could be other factors at play such as varietal differences in tuber structure that have an impact on ability of pesticides in dip form to penetrate into the cortex. Indeed it is interesting to note that varietal effect has not been systematically explored to any extent with YMT.…”

Effect of seed sett size on sprouting, shoot growth, and tuber yield of white guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata)

“…This method also facilitates breeding with large cross population or genetic resources, in which propagation cost is one of the key obstacles. Igwilo and Okoli (1988) reported that 25 g setts yielded larger than 1 kg tuber per plant in D. alata; thus, the minisett method could be used to produce not only seed yam but also food yam.…”