LESSER YAM (Dioscorea esculenta)
It is grown in a similar agro-climatic situation as that of D. alata. Planting season and manuring are also similar.
Varieties
(1) Sree Latha: This is a selection from Thiruvananthapuram district with a duration of 8 months. Tubers are oblong to fusiform with creamy white flesh. Vines twine to the left.
(2) Sree Kala: This is an early variety with 7.5 months duration. The tubers have 35-37% dry matter, 23-25% starch and 1-1.3% sugar.
Seeds and sowing
Select medium size tubers weighing about 100-150 g each. Plant the whole tuber, one in each mound and cover completely with soil. Mulch the mounds to maintain optimum temperature and moisture. To plant one hectare 1800-2700 kg of seed materials are required.
Preparation of land
Plough or dig the land to a depth of 15-20 cm. Prepare mounds at a spacing of 75 x 75 cm incorporating cattle manure @ 1 kg per mound
Manuring
The fertilizer dose and schedule of application are the same as that of D. alata.
Trailing
Trail the vines by fixing small poles attached with coir rope and direct 4-6 plants per pole.
Harvesting
The crop is ready for harvest by about 7-8 months time. Tuber yields of 20-25 t/ha can be obtained by following the improved methods of cultivation.
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