T. O. EMEDE

Dioscorea alata L. and Dioscorea rotundata Poir are the most commonly grown species of yam (Dioscorea spp.), a staple crop in many tropical nations. Due to their scarcity, high price, and included vulnerability to pests and diseases, producing good-quality seed yams continues to be a significant issue. The objective of this study was to compare the growth and yield of seed yam tubers among minitubers derived from vine cuttings and yam minisett of different cultivars of yam. The improved cultivars used for the minitubers experiment included Akuabata, Vayam, Asiedu, Favourite and Super. The yam minisett trial included Abakiliki 1, Abakiliki 2, Benin Local, Igiowa 1 and Igiowa 2. Both experiments were separately laid out as Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) in three replicates. Vine cuttings were also obtained from the minitubers experiment to test the effect of different potting media (sawdust, rice hull, grass and corn cob) on growth and yield of minitubers under semi-autotrophic hydroponics. The vine cutting experiment was laid out as a completely randomized design in three replicates. Results indicated that seed yam tuber yield per stand varied from 267g in Super to 467g in Asiedu, while the yam minisett trial had 200g in Abakiliki1 and 717g Igiowa1. The multiplication ratio varied from 1:46 – 1:75 among the cultivars used in minitubers experiment, while yam minisett trial had 1:1.3 – 1:3.8. In the vine cutting experiment sawdust had 68.0 % survival and this was followed by rice hull, grass and corn cob. The used of minitubers derived from vine cuttings is viable option for production of quality seed yam of Dioscorea spp. Locally sourced potting media such as sawdust, rice hull and grass could be used in humidity chambers for production minitubers

Dioscorea alata L. and Dioscorea rotundata Poir remain the most widely cultivated yam
species in the tropics, where yam is a major food and income crop. However, the
availability of clean, affordable, and disease-free seed yam is still a major constraint to
production. This study evaluated the growth performance and seed tuber yield of
minitubers generated from vine cuttings and yam minisetts across several yam cultivars. For the minituber experiment, improved cultivarsAkuabata, Vayam, Asiedu, Favourite and Super were used, while the minisett trial included Abakaliki 1, Abakaliki 2, Benin Local, Igiowa 1 and Igiowa 2. Both experiments were arranged using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Vine cuttings taken from the minituber plants were also used to examine the influence of four locally available potting media (sawdust, rice hull, grass, and corn cob) on the establishment and yield of minitubers under semi-autotrophic hydroponic conditions, using a Completely
Randomized Design (CRD). Seed yam yield per plant ranged from 267 g in Super to 467g in Asiedu in the minituber experiment, while minisett yield ranged from 200 g in
Abakaliki 1 to 717 g in Igiowa 1. Multiplication ratios were substantially higher in the
minituber system (1:46–1:75) compared to the minisett method (1:1.3–1:3.8). In the vine- cutting experiment, sawdust produced the highest survival rate (68%), followed by rice hull, grass, and corn cob. Overall, the study demonstrates that minitubers produced from vine cuttings represent a promising and efficient approach for generating high-quality seed yam in Dioscorea spp. Furthermore, readily available potting materials455565T45R such as sawdust, rice hull, and grass can be effectively used in humidity chambers for minituber production.