AGRONOMIC EVALUATION OF WHITE YAM

(Dioscorea rotundata POIR)

IN DIFFERENT ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF EDO STATE, NIGERIA

BY

Law-Ogbomo, Kolawole Edomwonyi

Matric Number PG/AGR/9506746

B. Agric Tech. (Crop Production) Owerri.

Postgraduate Diploma (Education) BIU
M.Sc., (Crop science) Benin

Thesis in Department of Crop Science submitted to the School of Post-Graduate

Studies in partial fulfillment for the award of the Doctor of Philosophy degree in
Crop Production and Management of the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

September, 2007.

i
 CERTIFICATION

We certify that Law-Ogbomo, Kolawole Edomwonyi carried out the work

reported in this thesis at Evboneka (Forest zone), Irrua (Forest-Savanna zone),
Sabongidda Ora (Forest-Savanna zone) and Ubiaja (Derived savanna) between April 2004
and December 2005.

__________________________ ______________________
Chief Supervisor Co-Supervisor
Prof. S.U. Remison Prof. R.K.A. Egharevba,
Dept. of Crop Science Dept. of Crop Science
Ambrose Alli University University of Benin
Ekpoma Benin-City

__________________________ __________________________
Prof. D. A. Enobakhare Internal Examiner
Head of Dept. of Crop Science Prof. A. U. Osagie
University of Benin Dept. of Biochemistry
Benin-City University of Benin
Benin City

ii
 DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to the Almighty God,

My mother, Mrs M.A. Law-Ogbomo
for doing a nice job,
giving me all it takes to be a man.
And my darling wife, Mrs. J.E. Law-Ogbomo
for standing by me for this aspiration to be achieved.

iii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to express my profound gratitude to my supervisors Prof. S.U. Remison and

Prof. (Mrs.) R.K.A. Egharevba for their supervision, sincere devotion to academic pursuit

and research, valuable suggestions, constructive criticism and guidance throughout the

course of the investigation. Special thanks to them for the time they have taken out to

thoroughly supervise this work despite their busy schedule. I am also greatly indebted to

them for their parental advice.

My special thanks go to Rev. FEB Idahosa, President of Benson Idahosa

University, Benin City, Prof. Eghosa Osagie, Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa

University, Benin City, and other management staff for the financial assistance, time and

advice given to enrich my knowledge in undergoing this programme.

I also acknowledge Prof. D.A. Enobakhare for being a source of inspiration to me

as he taught me the technique involved in carrying out research and writing of technical

papers. I am highly indebted to Prof. A. U. Osagie for his kind help, useful pieces of

advice and for providing me with useful literature and journals for this study.

I express my profound gratitude to the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of

Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City for providing the necessary training, lectures

and arranging the necessary examinations for me in order to acquire the present status. In

the same vain, the secretary to the Department of Crop Science, Mr. S. E. Ikuvbogie is

highly appreciated together with other Departmental office staff including Austin in

ensuring the success of this programme.

Special appreciation goes to Mr. Peter Akhomogbe for helping me to secure the

sites for the trials and management of the field experiment. Special thanks to Imafidon and

Co. for their role in the collection of data. I also appreciate the contribution of the

iv
experimental site owners for allowing me to use their land for these studies. They were

also involved in the routine operations which in no small way ensured the successful

completion of the investigation. I wish to also thank Mr. Odigie, Manager, Edo

Agricultural Development Programme, Edo Central Zone with headquarter at Irrua for

allowing me to use their meteorological data for this investigation. Special

acknowledgement goes to management of both Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research

(NIFOR) and Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Uhumora Substation for

allowing me to make use of their climatic data.

My sincere thanks also go to all academic staff in the Faculty of Agriculture,

University of Benin, Benin City, among whom are Prof. J.E. Alika, Prof. M. Olomu, Dr. I.

Ero, Mr. U.A. Osaigbovo, Engr. Enbaifo, Mr. CNC Nwaguola, Dr. P.C. Kalu, Mr. Obanor,

Dr. S. Nwokoro, Mr. Mohammed, Mr. Izekor David Omoruyi, Dr. Ero, Dr. Aremu, Mr.

Obaze, Dr. Oronsaye, Dr. Obi, Dr. W. W. Modugu and others for their special and various

contributions to see the completion of this thesis. I am highly indebted to the scholarly

work of the numerous authors cited as references in this thesis.

I also acknowledge the kindness and friendliness of Mr. Victor Segun Ekun of

Biotechnology unit of International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan for helping

me out to analyse my research sampled materials with the assistance of Mr. Joseph Ubolie

of Analytical Service of IITA, Ibadan. Special thanks also go to Mr. E. O. Oteri and Mr.

N. O. Erhayimwen of the laboratory unit of the Faculty of Agriculture and Mr. Chris of the

Biochemistry laboratory unit for their generous assistance given me in carrying out the

drying and weighing of the sampled materials.

I do appreciate the help rendered and give thanks to Prof. Aluyi and Dr. J.E.

Oyedeji for their useful advice, encouragement and moral support. My sincere thanks go

v
to my bosom friend, Mr. Patrick Nosakhare Erhahon for his financial support toward the

successful completion of this study.

I extend my warm gratitude to Mr. Ugono for providing me with accommodation

during my brief stay at Ibadan for my research work and write-up of this thesis.

I also acknowledge the encouragement of my colleagues and friends at Benson

Idahosa University, among whom are F.E. Bazuaye, Mr. M.O. Alile, Dr. C.O. Emokaro,

Dr. W.A. Molindo, Peter Ekunwe, Dr. S. Orewa, Mrs. Ajayi, Dr. Uko-Aviomoh, Dr.

Orheruata, Dickson Omorogbe, Mrs. H. Ajayi, Mr. M. Nwanchokor and others who are

too numerous to mention. I also give special thanks to Mr. Dickson I. Imasuen and Mrs.

Helen I. Akhigbe for typesetting this work.

Special thanks and regards to my wife, Mrs. J.E. Law-Ogbomo for standing by me

and for her useful suggestions and moral support.

Special appreciation goes to my brothers (Col. Victor Law-Ogbomo, Mr. Vincent

Law-Ogbomo, Mr. Moses Law-Ogbomo and Anthony Law-Ogbomo), my sisters, cousins

(Mr. Ogieva Osa Ogbomo, Mrs. Osazuwa Yusuf, Mr. Adebisi Usuanlele, Mr. Ademola

Usuanlele, Mrs. Oghogho Agbonlaho, Mr. Nad Tunde Kolade etc), aunt (Mrs. H.A.

Usuanlele), my uncle (Engr. S.E. Eriyo), his late wife (Mrs. P. O. Eriyo), my friends (Mr.

Kenneth O. Idahosa and Mr. Bebright Omogiate) . They have been instrumental to my

success and I would not forget to say thanks to them.I do recognize and appreciate all

agronomists for their efforts to feed the world.

Finally, I am indebted to my dearest and beloved mother, Mrs. M.A. Law-Ogbomo

for helping to develop my personality and most of all for her love.

CONTENTS

vi
Title page ………………………………………………………………………………..i

Certification ……………………………………………………………………………..ii

Dedication…………………………………………………………………………..……iii

Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………....iv

Contents …….…..……………………………………………………………………….vii

List of Tables ………………………………………………………………………… ...ix

List of Figures …………………………………………………………………….….....xiii

Notation …………………………………………………………………………….…..xiv

Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………xv

Chapter One …………………………………………………………………………….1

1.0 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………..1

Chapter Two ……………………………………………………….. …………………..8

2.0 Literature Review…………………………………………………………….......8

2.1 Land preparation ………………………………………………………………..8

2.3 Planting materials …………………………………………………………. .......9

2.4 Planting methods ……………… ………………………………………………22

2.5 Planting density …………………………………………………………………25

2.6 Fertilizer application …………………………………………………………….27

Chapter Three……………………………………………………………………….. ….32

3.0 Materials and methods………………………………...………………… …..32

3.1 Effects of different levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on the

performance of yam in different ecological zones of Edo State………………..…………

……….…….32

vii
3.2 Effects of planting density on the performance of yam.………………………..42

3.3 Influence of minisett sizes on the growth and yield of yam……………………44

3.4 Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on the growth

and yield of yam…………………………………………………………… …..47

Chapter Four………………………………..……………………………………….......51

4.0 Presentation of results and discussion…………………………………………..52

Chapter Five………………………………………………………………………….....129

5.0 Summary, conclusion and recommendation……………………………………129

References …………...……………………………………………………….…….. …133

Appendix 1 Seed and yam production package…...................………………................

147

Appendix 2 Ware yam production package…..…..........................................................

151

viii
 LIST OF TABLES
1. Weather data at Evboneka (forest zone)………….………………………...34

2. Rainfall (mm) at Sabongidda Ora and Irrua (forest-savanna transition zone)

during 2004 and 2005………………….………………………………. ….35

3. Soil physical and chemical properties of the experimental sites before cropping

with yam in 2004…..……………………………………………………....36

4. Soil physical and chemical properties of the experimental sites after cropping

with yams during 2004 cropping season……………………………………37

5. Soil physical and chemical properties of the experimental site before and after

cropping with yams during 2005 cropping season………………………….50

6. Effects of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on early vine development

of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 4 WAP…………………………... ….52

7. Effects of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on early vine development

of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 8 WAP………………………… ……54

8. Effects of different levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on number of

leaves of components of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 16 and 24 WAP…

…………………………………………………………………………. …...55

9. Effects of different levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on growth rate

of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 16 and 24 WAP …………… ….57

10. Effects of different rates of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on yield and

yield components of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo”.………………… …59

11. Effects of different levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on N, P and K

ix
 content in leaves and tuber of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 16 WAP on

dry matter basis…………………………………………..……………...61

12. Effects of different levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on N, P and K

content in leaves and tuber of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 24 WAP on

dry matter basis…………………………………………..…………….63

13. Effects of different levels of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on N, P and K

content and nutrient removal of yam tuber of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo”

at final harvest……………..………………………………64

14. Economic analysis of the effect of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on

performance of D. rotundata cv "Obiaoturugo"……………………………66

15. Effects of planting density on early vine development of D. rotundata cv

“Obiaoturugo”………………………………………………..……………..68

16. Effects of planting density on the number of leaves of D. rotundata cv

“Obiaoturugo” at 16 and 24 WAP…………………………….…………....70

17. Effects of planting density on yield and yield components of D. rotundata cv

“Obiaoturugo” at final harvest……………………………………..………77

18. Economic analysis of the effect of planting density on the performance of D.

rotundata cv "Obiaturugo…………………………………………………..79

19. Influence of minisett sizes an early vine development of D. rotundata cv

“Obiaqoturugo” at 4 WAP………………………………………….. ........81

20. Influence of minisett sizes on the early vine development of D. rotundata cv

“Obiaoturugo” at 8 WAP…………………………………………………...82

21. Influence of minisett sizes on the relative shoot dry matter (Rsdm) and leaf dry

matter of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 12 and 20 WAP…………..85

x
22. Influence of minisett sizes on the growth rate of D. rotundata cv

“Obiaoturugo” at 12 and 20 WAP……………………..…… …………………

….…..…..86

23. Influence of minisett sizes and yield components of D. rotundata cv

“Obiaoturugo”……………………………………………...………………..87

24. Economic analysis of the influence of minisett size on the performance of D.

rotundata cv "Obiaoturugo"…………………………………………………89

25. The effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on early

vine development of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 4 WAP.. …………..91

26. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on early

vine development of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 8 WAP…………..93

27. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on the

number of leaves of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 16 and 24 WAP…96

28. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on leaf area

index of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 16 and 24 WAP………….97

29. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on total dry

weight (t ha-1) of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 16 and 24 WAP...99

30. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on harvest

index of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 16 and 24 WAP…..………….100

31. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on some

plant growth parameters of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” between 16 and 24

WAP……………………………………………………………………….101

32. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on yield and

yield components of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo”………………..104

xi
33. Effects of planting density and NPK fertilizer application on N, P and K

content (g kg-1) of leaves of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 16 WAP……..

106

34. Effects of planting density and NPK fertilizer application on N, P and K content

(g kg-1) of tubers of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 16

WAP....................107

35. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on N, P and

K content (g kg-1) in leaves of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 24

WAP….109

36. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on N, P and

K content (g kg-1) in tubers of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 24

WAP....110

37. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on N, P and

K content (g kg-1) of tubers of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo”..……

….........111

38. Effects of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer application on N, P and K

(g kg-1) nutrient removal by tubers of D. rotundata cv óbiaoturugo” at final

harvest………………………………………………………………..

…….……..112

39. Economic analysis of the effect of planting density and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer

rates on the performance of D. rotundata cv "Obiaoturugo"…………

………..113

xii
 LIST OF FIGURES
1. Map of Edo State, Nigeria showing experimental sites..…………………….….33

2. Effects of planting density on LAI of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 16 WAP…

………………………………….……………………………………….71

3. Effects of planting density on LAI of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at 24 WAP…

……………………………………………………..…………………....71

4. Effects of planting density on total dry weight of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo”

at 16 WAP……………………………….…………………………………….....72

5. Effects of planting density on total dry weight of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo”

at 24 WAP………………………………………………………………... …….72

6. Effects of planting density on harvest index of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at

16 WAP………………………………………………………………………….73

7. Effects of planting density on harvest index of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo” at

24 WAP……….....................................................................................................

73

8. Effects of planting density on bulking rate of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo”

between 16 and 24 WAP...………………………………………………………74

9. Effects of planting density on crop growth rate of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo”

xiii
 between 16 and 24 WAP………………………………………………………...74

10. Effects of planting density on relative growth rate of D. rotundata cv

“Obiaoturugo” between 16 and 24 WAP..…………………….…………...........76

11. Effects of planting density on assimilative rate of D. rotundata cv “Obiaoturugo”

between 16 and 24 WAP..………………………………………………………76

NOTATIONS

BR - Bulking rate.
CGR - Crop growth rate.
g g-1 wk-1 - Change in total dry weight per unit existing weight per unit of
time
g m-2 wk-1 - Change in total dry weight per unit area per unit of time
HI - Harvest index
LAI - Leaf area index.
%LDMC - Percentage leaf dry matter content.
LSD(0.05) - Significant at 5% level of probability.
Macrosett - Ware-yam sett.
NAR - Net assimilation rate.
NPK - Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
ns - Not significant at 5% level of probability.
P > 0.05 - Not significant at 5% level of probability.
P < 0.5 - Significant at 5% level of probability.
pph - Plants per hectare.
RCB - Randomised complete block.
RGR - Relative growth rate.
RSDM - Relative shoot dry matter.
Stands ha-1- Stands per hectare.
TDW - Total dry weight.
t ha-1 - Tonnes per hectare.

xiv
 ABSTRACT
Agronomic evaluation of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata (Poir)) cv

“Obiaoturugo” (“Iyawo”) was carried out in different ecological zones of Edo State to

determine: the optimum level of NPK (N, P2O5 and K2O) 15:15:15 fertilizer application

on yam in the different ecological (forest, forest-savanna transition and derived savanna)

zones of Edo State; nutrient uptake capacity of yam in different ecological zones; the

appropriate planting density for the growth of yams; and the ideal minisett size for rapid

multiplication of yam.

This study involved a series of experiments, which included: (i) Effects of NPK

15:15:15 fertilizer application on the performance of yam. The trial was conducted in 2004

at three locations; Evboneka (forest zone), Sabongidda Ora (forest-savanna transition

zone) and Ubiaja (derived savanna zone)) and involved five treatments (0, 100, 200, 300

and 400kg of NPK ha-1) which arranged in randomized complete block design in three

replicates. (ii) Effects of planting density on the performance of yam. The trial was

conducted at Irrua (forest-savanna transition) in 2004 using a randomized complete block

design with five planting densities (10000, 13333, 20000, 17778 and 26667 plants ha-1) in

four replicates. (iii) Influence of minisett sizes on the growth and yield of yam. This trial

was conducted at Evboneka (forest zone) and Irrua (forest-savanna transition) in 2004

using a macrosett (250g) and six minisett sizes (25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50g) in a

xv
randomized complete block design with four blocks. (iv) The effect of planting density and

NPK fertilizer application on the growth and yield of yam. This experiment was conducted

during the 2005 planting season at Evboneka (forest zone) and Irrua (forest-savanna

transition) involving three planting densities (10000, 13333 and 17778 plants ha-1) and

three rates (0, 200 and 300kg) of NPK fertilizer in a 3 x 3 factorial scheme in randomized

complete block design with three replicates.

Results from the fertilizer trial showed that net assimilation rate, crop growth rate,

dry matter content and leaf area index significantly increased as fertilizer application

increased thereby resulting in higher tuber yield. Tuber yield at Ubiaja was the highest

(18.37t ha-1) followed by Evboneka (15.60t ha-1) and Sabongidda Ora (14.70t ha-1) in

that order. The most profitable yield was obtained at all sites, except Evboneka, with the

application of 300kgha-1 of NPK. With increasing planting density, there were significant

increase in LAI, dry matter accumulation and tuber yield. However, the average yield

stand-1 and multiplication ratio decreased as planting density increased and vice versa.

The highest tuber yield ha-1 was obtained from 26667 (21.93t ha-1), followed by 17778

(19.34t ha-1) and 2000 (18.35t ha-1) pph. Based on economic analysis, the most

profitable yield was produced from 10000 pph (2.38), followed by 17778 (1.89) and

13333 (1.49) pph. Plants grown from the minisetts had a lower yield than the macrosett

plants but had higher multiplication ratio. The recommended use of 40g minisett appeared

to be appropriate for producing seed yam at the forest zone (Evboneka) and 30g setts for

the forest-savanna transition zone (Irrua), since these setts had the highest benefit-cost

ratio in both ecological zones respectively in the production of seed yam. The combined

effects of planting density and fertilizer application revealed that tuber yield was

significantly increased as planting density and fertilizer application increased. N and K

xvi
were the most abundant nutrients in the leaves and tubers while P was present in low

amount. The nutrient uptake from the soil depended on the nutrient content of the soil and

the planting density. The results indicated that the combination of 10000 pph and

application of 300 kg 15:15:15 fertilizer ha-1 provided the most profitable yields across

the ecological zones.

xvii