Planting Three-Leaved Yam: See How To Plant This Yam
Three-leaved yam belongs to the Dioscorea family with the botanical name Dioscorea dumetorum.
Like most yams it’s a climbing plant and the tubers form inside the ground
Follow the steps below to grow this yam successfully in your garden.
Description Of Three-Leaved Yam Plant
It has trifoliate leaves (this gives it its name three-leaved yam).
Each leaf as three to seven veins per leaflet,
The stem is slender and long and can grow up to about 6 m (20 ft) – 7 m (23 ft).
Its flowers are brown in colour,
Female flowers are grouped in spikes and the male organized in a branched pattern,
The tubers form under the ground,
Its tubers have brown outer skin and white firm flesh inside.
Planting Season For Three-Leaved Yam
Three leaved yam is planted between April and May
Planting Three-Leaved Yam
Step 1: Choose a Location
Select a location that is exposed to sunlight
Avoid waterlogged area
Sandy loamy soil is best for growing the crop
Step 2: Land Clearing And Preparation
Clear the selected portion from grasses, shrubs
Till the soil to soften it
Add manure or compost to the soil
Make a little heap or ridge not as much as that of yam
If you are planting in bags, fill the bag with soil.
Step 3: Means of Propagation And Seed Selection
Three leaved yam is propagated by seed three leaved yam tubers
Purchase seed tubers from a garden or farm store
Step 4: Planting Three-Leaved Yam
On the ridge that has made make a hole enough to accommodate the seed tuber
Place the tuber into the soil
Cover up the hole and seed with sand.
It can also be planted without making ridges, make a large hole on the ground about 30 cm (12 inches) wide and 15 cm (6 inches) deep.
Add manure into the hole,
Pour back some soil,
Place the seed yam in and cover the hole
Give a spacing of 1 m (3 ft) between each plant.
Step 5: Watering
Water the soil immediately after planting.
Water the plant at least two times in a week
Because the planting time for this crop is usually within the rainy season
During the rains there maybe no need to water the crop
Step 6: Stacking
Place a stick (bamboo) or rod close to the plant as soon as the stem begins to shoot out.
Attach the stem to the rod, for it to climb on it.
Step 7: Apply Manure
Apply manure or compost to the plant at least two to three times before harvest.
Maturity and Harvest
The plant takes about 8 months to come to maturity and is usually harvested between November and December.
When the plant is matured the leaves dry up completely.
One seed yam gives about 3 – 4 yams and sometimes 5
The yams are attached to a central head
The individual yam can be detached from it
The yam keeps for longer if they are left attached to the central head.
To harvest the plant dig a hole gently, if the soil is to hard pour water to soften the soil
Be careful not to break the yam when harvesting.
It does not grow deep into the soil like yam.
Pruning
This is not necessary with three leaved yam as the more the foliage the more it produces.
Pest and Diseases
Pests
- Moth
- Caterpillar
- Beetle
- Weevils
- Termite
Disease
- Anthracnose
- Foliar spots
- Wet rots
Pest and Disease Control
- Use disease resistant seeds
- Crop rotation
- Weed regularly
Hope this article was helpful?
