ISHS Acta Horticulturae 380: Symposium on Tropical Root Crops in a Developping Economy
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF VIRUS-FREE YAM (DIOSCOREA ROTUNDATA POIR.) |
| Author: | S.Y.C. Ng |
| Abstract:
The international distribution of vegetative plant parts is restricted by the risks of introducing diseases and pests to noninfected areas. Methods used at IITA to produce and distribute virus-free yams to requesting national programs and collaborators are described. The selected yam clones are cleaned from virus disease infection through thermotherapy and meristem culture. The regenerated plants are virus indexed. The negatively indexed plants are then multiplied in vitro for international distribution. Plantlets of about 4–6 cm height grown in sterile culture media are packed for distribution by hand carriage. Node cuttings of the in vitro plantlets are also subcultured in a medium containing sucrose (5%) for microtuber production. Microtubers are harvested from 4–5 months old cultures and packed in sterile petri plates with sterile moist cotton wool for despatch to national programs. Some virus-free yam plantlets are also transplanted to sterile soil in a screenhouse where they grow to maturity. Harvested tubers are used for distribution. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. | |
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