White Guinea Yam

Where does White Guinea Yam grow?

Found in: Africa, Asia, Benin, Bougainville, Brazil, Central America, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Haiti, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Martinique, New Caledonia, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, South America, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Togo, Vanuatu, West Africa, Zambia

Notes: There are about 650 species of Dioscorea. Many prefer to keep this as a separate species.

Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The most important yam in West Africa. It has only recently been introduced to Papua New Guinea.

Growing White Guinea Yam

Cultivation: Mostly setts of tubers are used. Occasionally seeds are used. Plants can also be grown from cuttings. About 1 sq metre per plant is suitable.

Edible Uses: The tubers are cooked and eaten.

Production: Crops last 8-10 months. Tubers can be stored for several months. Tubers normally weigh 2-5 kg but can be up to 10 kg weight. Yields of 16-20 t/ha are normal. Tubers should not be stored below 15°C as chilling injury can result.

Nutrition Info

References

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