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CROP DEVELOPMENT AND ROOT DISTRIBUTION IN LESSER YAM (DIOSCOREA ESCULENTA): IMPLICATIONS FOR FERTILIZATION

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2008

MARIE-VIANNEY MELTERAS ,
VINCENT LEBOT ,
COLIN J. ASHER  and
JANE N. O'SULLIVAN
MARIE-VIANNEY MELTERAS
Affiliation:
Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Training Centre, PO Box 231, Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
VINCENT LEBOT
Affiliation:
CIRAD, PO Box 946, Port Vila, Vanuatu
COLIN J. ASHER
Affiliation:
School of Land and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
JANE N. O'SULLIVAN*
Affiliation:
School of Land and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
*
§Corresponding author: [email protected]
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Summary

A growth analysis study involving monthly excavation of Dioscorea esculenta plants revealed that the root system developed fully in the period before tuber initiation, and extended radially for a distance between 2.3 and 4.3 m. Primary roots initially remained in the top 10 cm of the soil profile, but descended to approximately 30 cm near their full extension. Tuber number increased from initiation around 21 weeks after planting (WAP) until maximum vine growth was reached around 33 WAP, but tuber dry weight continued to increase throughout the senescence period of the vine, to 45 WAP. Tubers lost dry matter but not fresh weight during dormancy in the soil, to 55 WAP. The results indicate that a distance of at least 4.5 m is required to separate experimental fertilizer treatments, and that post-establishment burial of fertilizers around the mound or ridge risks damage to roots near their base, while inter-row application is accessible to roots and may be preferable.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 44 , Issue 2 , April 2008 , pp. 209 - 221
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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