Yam Cultivation – Types, Cultural Practices & Importance

Hello welcome to this class on Yam cultivation and cultural practices in agriculture.

Table Of Contents

1. Meaning of Yam
2. Land preparation of yam
3. Cultural practices of yam
4. Types or varieties of yam
5. Storage of yam
6. Pests and diseases of yam
7. Importance, benefits and uses of yam

Meaning of Yam

Yam belongs to the family dioscoreacae. It’s a root and tuber Crop popularly grown in West Africa and it is rich in carbohydrates. Also It is a starchy tuber vegetable, often used in cooking and known for its sweet taste and nutritious qualities. Here we take a look at cultural Practices of Yam cultivation:

Cultural Practices Of Yam

Land Preparation of Yam: Cutlass is used to clear the bush or vegetation and heaps, ridges or mounds are made with hoe. It can also be done by ploughing, harrowing and ridging mechanically.

Types or Varieties Of Yam

1. Dioscorea rotundata – White yam
2. Dioscorea alata – Water yam.
3. Dioscorea bulbifera – Aerial yam.
4. Dioscorea cayenesis -Yellow yam.
5. Dioscorea domentorum – Bitter yam.

Climatic and Soil Requirements: Yam requires a temperature of 20°C to 30°C; RAINFALL of between 100cm to 180cm per annum; abundant sunshine and a well drained Sandy – loamy soil, rich in humus.

Methods of Propagation AND Propagation Material; Yam is propagated by the following materials; yam setts, yam seeds or yam minisetts.

Seedrate: One seed yam or sett per hole; Three to five tonnes of seed yam per hectares is required.

Planting Date: Early yam is planted between November and December, while late yam is planted between March and April.

Planting: Open a hole on the heap, place one yam sett inside with the cut surface turned upward and slantly place at an angle of 45° before covering it with soil. The cut yam sett should be dried under the Sun and dusted with chemicals such as aldrin dust before planting. This prevents rottening and pest attack of the sett.

Spacing: Spacing is 90cm x 100cm, while yam mini-setts is 25cm x 100cm. Sprouting occurs three to six weeks after planting.

OTHER CULTURAL PRACTICES OF YAM CULTIVATION

Cultural practices of yam plays a crucial role in the successful cultivation of yam. Here are some key practices:

Regular weeding: Weeding is the most important cultural Practices of yam. Control weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water. Hand weeding is common in yam cultivation. This should be done regularly to control pests and reduce weeds.

Support Staking: The yam should be staked with strong stick or bamboo. It ensures adequate exposure of the leaf surface to sunlight and increase yield.

Application of Fertilizer: Apply 200 kg (four bags) of NPK fertilizer per hectare Three months after planting, by ring method.

Irrigation (Watering): Yam require consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Adequate irrigation is crucial for tuber development.

Mulching: This is the covering of the heap or ridges with dry leaves to reduce soil temperature, conserve soil moisture and prevent rottening of yam setts.

Harvesting (Timing): Harvest yams when the foliage begins to yellow and die back. Carefully dig around the plants to avoid damaging the tubers. Dig the soil gently with cutlas to remove tubers from the soil.

Storag: Yam tubers are stored in barns. It can also be stored in form of yam flour and dried peeled yam tubers.

MATURITY PERIOD: The maturity period for yam varies depending on the specific type or variety of yams being cultivated. Generally, the time from planting to maturity ranges from 8 to 12 months after planting, but it can be longer for some varieties.

STORAGE OF YAM

Storage: Yam tubers are stored in barns. It can also be stored in form of yam flour and in dried peeled yam tubers.

Also, Store cured yams in a cool, dry place. Proper storage conditions help prevent sprouting and decay, ensuring the yams remain suitable for consumption over an extended period. Study about different methods and types of storage here

PESTS OF YAM

1. Yam tuber Beetle: The beetle makes holes on tubers, resulting in low tuber marketability.

Control:

• Apply insecticides light BHC at planting.
• Dust yam sett with Aldrin dust.
• Practice crop rotation.

2. Yam shoot beetles: Young lavae cluster on Vine tips. Adults feed on yam leaves and cause vine to die or defoliate.

Control:

• SPRAY yam plant with insecticides: e.g. BHC.
• By hand picking
• Dust with chemical like agricide 3 powder.

3. Rodents: Rats and rabbits eat up tubers.

control: Set traps to catch the rodents.

DISEASES OF YAM

1. Yam mosaic disease: It is caused by a virus which is transmitted by a piercing and sucking insect.

Symptoms: Symptoms include a mosaic pattern and chlorosis of leaves. It causes stunting of affected plants.

Control:

• Grow resistant varieties.
• Spray with insecticides.

2. YAM ROT: It is caused by bacteria which are spread by splashing of rain and insects.

Symptoms: Liquid oozes out from infected tuber. White brown liquid emits with pundent odour.

Control:

• Destroy affected yam.
• Apply aldrin dust.
• Practice crop rotation.

3. YAM LEAF SPOT: It is called by a fungus (cercospora spp) which is spread by wind.

Symptoms: Symptoms include dead spot on The leaves.

Control: Spray yam plant with appropriate fungicides.

IMPORTANCE OF YAM – BENEFITS AND USES

Here are the importance Of Yam cultivation And Thier Uses

Economic Importance: Yam contribute significantly to local economies in regions where they are grown, providing income for farmers through cultivation, harvest, and sale in local markets or for export.

Staple Food: Food is another importance of yam. In many regions, yams serve as a primary source of sustenance, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. They are a reliable crop that can withstand harsh growing conditions, making them a crucial component of local diets and food security.

Versatile Cooking Ingredient: Yam can be prepared in numerous ways, offering culinary versatility. They can be boiled, fried, roasted, mashed, or even turned into flour. This flexibility allows for the creation of various dishes, including soups, stews, fries, chips, pies, and desserts.

Nutritional Value: Yams are packed with carbohydrates for energy, fiber for digestion, and essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, B-vitamins (especially folate), potassium, and manganese, which are vital for overall health.

Medicinal Uses: Yam are valued not only as a food source but also for their potential medicinal properties. In traditional medicine, yams are used to treat various ailments, including digestive issues, inflammation, and respiratory problems. Some compounds found in yams are being studied for their potential health benefits, such as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Livestock Feed: Yams are not only consumed by humans but also used as feed for livestock, particularly in regions where they are abundant. Yams provide a nutritious fodder option for animals, contributing to their health and productivity.

Potential for Industrial Use: Yam have potential applications beyond food consumption, such as in the production of starch, flour, and biofuels, contributing to economic diversification and industrial development in yam-producing regions.

Revision Questions

1. Discuss the production of yam under the following headings: (A) materials of propagation, (b) soil requirements, (c) land preparation, (d) planting and spacing, (e) cultural practices, (f) three major pests and their control.
2. What are the importance of yam?

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