Original Research Article
Effect of coconut milk on yam suckers (yam sprout) for seed yam production at Minna, Southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria
Tsado*, E. K. |
Mohammed, B. G. |
Gana, A. S. |
Article Number: DRJA3359871
DOI:
ISSN: 2354-4147
Vol.5 (4), pp. 214-231, April 2017
Copyright © 2017
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
Abstract
A field study was to evaluate the effects of coconut milk on yam suckers (yam sprout) for seed yam production was conducted at Minna in 2012 and 2013 raining seasons. Three concentrations of coconut milk were used: 0, 50 % and 100%, respectively and three period of soaking: 2, 4 and 6 h, respectively While suckers (yam sprout) of full season grown stored ware yam of Dioscorea rotundata of local race (Bankwasi) were used as planting materials for the experiment, and the response of the planting material to the coconut milk for seed yam production at three level of concentration and period of soaking at Minna were examined. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) on field experiment and replicated five times. The suckers were treated for 2, 4 and 6 h in Crop Production Laboratory where planting at 2 h interval based on the time of treatment. Observations were made and records were taken at 4 weeks interval after transplanting (WAT) until harvest (4, 8, 12, 16 and 24). The experiment revealed that there were no significant differences among the treatments, but at y 50% concentration on both locations provided the best yield, while the experiment on the field gave the highest yield which produce a seed of 600 g weight in 6 h treatment and the 50% concentration in potting bags provide the seed weight of 244 g weight. This variation was as result of surface area and other climatic factors. While 0 and 100% concentration, in both location provide the poor yield. The 50 % concentration can be used or alternatively the concentration of the coconut milk should be readjusted, and the coconut milk should be freshly collected before undergoing fermentation to avoid toxicity. To obtain maximum yield the transplanting should be done when the rain is fully established that is when there is good soil moisture to avoid effect of drought to the plant since there is no food reserve attached to the suckers. Finally, to obtain large seed, the suckers should be planted directly on the field (heap) not in potting bags.
Key words: Yam sprout, Yam suckers, Dioscorea rotundataReceived: February 2, 2017 Accepted: April 5, 2017 Published: April 30, 2017