Yam tubers yield and quality subjected to nitrogen doses and staking methods

ABSTRACT Adequate mineral fertilization and staking are necessary to obtain good productivity in yam cultivation. The objective of this study was to determine the increase in yield and quality of yams subjected to nitrogen doses and staking methods. This study was carried out under field conditions using a randomized block design in a 5 × 3 factorial scheme, with five nitrogen doses (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) and three staking methods (wire trellises, single staking, and without staking) with four replicates. Nitrogen doses were applied in topdressing, and split into equal parts at 60 and 90 days after seed tuber planting. Tuber length and weight, starch and leaf nitrogen concentrations, and total and marketable yields were determined. Staking promoted higher total yield, mass, length, and leaf nitrogen concentration, but no changes were observed in starch concentration among the staking methods. Commercial productivity was higher with single staking. Planting yam with staking and a nitrogen dose of 120.70 kg ha-1 is recommended to promote maximum productivity.