Root distribution patterns of white yam (Dioscorea rotunda Poir.): a field study

Abstract

The productivity of white yam must be increased to sustainably meet the demand of the increasing populations in the developing world where it is a stable cropThere is limited effect on addition of mineral fertilizer on the tuber yield. It is hypothesized that yam has swallow root system and that this root system does not respond to mineral fertilizer application. The root system of yam consists of seminal, adventitious and tubercular roots and only the adventitious root system remains active until the end of the growth cycle. No roots were observed within 50cm from the plant's growth and were mostly distributed in clumps. Fertilizer application had no significant effect on plant biomass, fresh tuber yield or on root growth. Therefore, it could be recommended to farmers not to fertilize D. rotunda