In Vivo Yam (Dioscorea spp.) Vine Multiplication Technique: The Plausible Solution to Seed Yam Generation Menace

Abstract

<p>A study was conducted to develop a vine multiplication package for generation of seed yam. The parameters assessed for the package were rooting media of the vine cuttings, yam variety and nutrient supplementation to the mother plant to generate minitubers. Nine varieties of yams were planted in 4 media types (soil, soil + sawdust, soil + carbonized rice husk and cocopeat) and 2 levels of nutrient supplementation (no supplementation and supplementation) using RCBD with 3 replications. The study was conducted over 2-year period. Boosting the nutrient status of the mother plant before excising the vines proved to enhance establishment and subsequently the yield of the vine cuttings. Incorporation of biochar in the planting media also enhanced establishment of the vine cuttings and subsequent yields. Success of the vine multiplication techniques also proved to be variety dependent. An in vivo vine multiplication package has been developed for yam seed generation.</p>

Effect of Synthetic Hormone Substitutes on Rooting of Vine Cuttings in Water Yam (<i>Dioscorea alata</i> L.)

“…The non-production of roots by vine cuttings treated with 1% IBA and 3% 2,4-D as observed in this study may seem to suggest that unlike other yam species, D. alata roots better in higher One of the major limiting factors militating against the use of vine cuttings for mini tuber generation is the poor establishment even after rooting. This problem has been tackled by several workers through the addition of carbonized rice husk in the planting media [5] [10]. This was not considered in the present study as the water yam vines were readily established in the phosphorus-rich, slightly acidic soil used as the planting medium whose composition is given in Table 1.…”

“…In the minisett technique, a mother seed yam of 500 -1000 g is cut into 20 -40 pieces of 25 g or less yam setts. The minisetts must necessarily possess a periderm and be treated with chemical protectants [5]. The micropropagation techniques, which involve the use of tissue culture for rapid multiplication of yam seedlings, are feasible but the technology is expensive and not readily available for the local farmers.…”

“…Njoku [7] first drew attention to the possibility of raising plants of D. alata, D. rotundata, and D. dumetorum through vine cuttings as an alternative to propagation by tuber and in recent times, it has been extensively reported in various food yams [5] [8]- [11]. The use of vine cuttings as propagating materials offers hope of alternative planting material to the tuber otherwise needed as energy food source for animals and man [8].…”

Effect of Plant Growth Hormones and Liquid Fertilizer on Rooting and Tuberization of Yam (<i>Dioscorea rotundata</i> Poir.) Vine Cuttings

“…They represent 40% to 60% of the total variable cost of yam production and are also bulky [18] [19] [20]. These constraints are attributed to the relatively low multiplication rate of yams, which varies from 4 to 8, as opposed to 300 for cereals [21] [22].…”

An Alternative Low Cost Multiplication Technique: Natural Substances for Regenerating Plantlets from Mini Tubers of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas, L.)

“…In fact, some farmers may choose to specialise solely in the production of planting materials in desired quantities timed to match peak demands and thus establish a new line of business. One of such techniques is the use of mini-tubers as has been done for yams through use of mini setts [14]. The other is by a preconditioning of the mini tubers in natural substances to act as growth primers for regenerating plantlets.…”