Planting Dates Effects on Growth and Yield of Yams (Dioscorea spp.) in Asaba Area, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in 2010 and 2011 planting seasons to evaluate the effects of planting dates on growth pattern and yield of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) in Asaba area of Delta State, Nigeria. The study consisted of six planting dates (1^st, 2^nd 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th & 6^th) March to June (treatments). The study was laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. The result showed that yam setts planted in 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th planting dates (April and May) had (P < 0.05) higher growth parameters, (plant heights, girths, number of internodes, nodes and leaves than in planting dates of 1^st, 2^nd and 6^th in the months of March and June in both 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. Tuber yield were (P < 0.05) higher in the first three planting dates (March and early April) for both seasons. Fresh tuber yields were (P = 0.05) at 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd planting dates and significantly least at 6^th planting date (5.5 and 5.3 t/ha) for 2010 and 2011 planting seasons. Percentage ware yam was (P < 0.05) higher in 3^rd planting date (93.3% and 91.7%) and least in the 6^th planting date (13.0 and 11.7%) for the two years planting. Conversely, the percentage seed yam was (P < 0.05) higher is the 6^th planting date (86.7 and 92.7%) and least in the 3^rd planting date (6.7 and 5.0%) for the study period. Thus, 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd planting dates are recommended for ware yam productions while the 6^th planting date for seed yam production in Asaba area of Delta State.

Keywords: Yam tuber, wareyam, seedyam, growth parameters, yield.