EFFECTS OF SETT SIZE, SETT TYPE, MULCHING AND STAKING ON TUBER YIELD PRODUCED FROM YELLOW YAM (DIOSCOREA CAYENENSIS L.) MINISETTS

The value of Jamaican yellow yam (Dioscorea cayenensis) exported in 1992 was US$9.9m. These yams are produced in a traditional system where all yams are staked and planted on individual mounds. The traditional sy stem of production contributes to soil erosion on the hillsides where most of the crop is grown. Based on the importance of the crop, the minisett system of production was introduced to improve the system of production. Four on-farm trials were conducted to determine the effects of sett type, sett sizes, staking and mulch on tuber yield from yellow yam minisetts. It was found that sett size and type did not affect total tuber yield. A quantitative assessment of the number and weight of marketable tubers produced in defined weight categories showed that tuber size was influenced by staking and mulching. Experimental yields from 17.7 t/ ha to30.9t/ha were higher than national average yield of 12t/ha.Agronomic implications were discussed