Participatory integrated pest management strategy for improving shelf-life of yam (Dioscorea spp.).

2013

English

This study was aimed at producing healthy yam tubers as a step towards extending its shelf-life using a participatory research programme. Four preplanting treatments of yam setts in combination with two post-planting treatments were evaluated. These treatment combinations were evaluated in integration with best agricultural practices such as site selection, good land preparation, early planting at recommended spacing, effective weed management and staking. Pre-planting treatments of yam setts significantly (P<0.05) reduced early pests and diseases attack thereby improving the vigour of the established plants after sprouting. Hot water treatment of yam setts reduced sprouting significantly (P<0.05) when compared to other treatments and the control. Treated plots had significantly (P<0.05) more plants surviving between sprouting and harvesting. Post-sprouting treatments significantly (P<0.05) reduced the number of feeding holes of yam beetle when applied on a weekly basis for three weeks starting from 12 weeks after planting. The results are discussed in relation to the difficulty in generating yam setts, the importance of pest and diseases-free planting materials, effect of yam beetle damage on market value of yam and integrated yam production strategies.

Kusi, F.; Asante, S. K.; Adjebeng-Danquah, J.; Nutsugah, S. K.; Buah, S. S. J.; Owusu, R. K.; Wiredu, A. N.; Sugri, I.; Zakaria, M.