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Enhancing off-season yam production in Nigeria
H.
Shiwachi*, H. Kikuno, R. Fashola and R. Asiedu
International Institute of Tropical
Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria /Faculty
of International Agriculture and Food Studies, Tokyo
University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
h1shiwac@nodai.ac.jp
Accepted 22 May, 2008 |
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Yam cultivation in dry season was tested in the farmer’s
field at inland valley in Niger state, Nigeria. Water yam (Dioscorea
alata) variety TDa 95/00328 had the greater response to
the gibberellin inhibitor
prohexadione-calcium (PC). The sprouting period of PC treated tuber was 21
– 27 days at December. After tuber sprouting, the plants
grew in the field during January to September. Shorter
sprouting period was not observed in the harvested tuber.
Demand of ware yam production during off- season for
yam cultivation is high in West Africa. Although yield
through this cultivation was smaller than rainy season yam
cultivation. The dry season yam cultivation using the
gibberellin inhibitors could be new option of intensive yam
cultivation technique.
Key words:
Dioscorea alata,
dormancy, gibberellin inhibitors, off-season production,
yams. |
