How to Grow and Care for Yam Plant

Yam is a variety of family Dioscoreaceae that is developed for its delicious tubers. They are devoured as cooked vegetables. The cultivation of Yam plants is high in tropical regions. It is an extraordinary supplier of fiber, potassium, and copper. Yams get connected to different medical advantages and may support cerebrum wellbeing, and improve glucose control. Growing such a plant at your home garden is vital. Read to know in detail.

Description

• Family – Dioscoreaceae
• Botanical name – Dioscorea alata

Yam plants have thick tubers from which arises long, slim, yearly and climbing stems. The leaves either interchange or inverse. They can work on either whole or lobed. The unisexual blossoms are borne in long groups. Blossoms are commonly little and separately unnoticeable. Each comprises of a greenish perianth of six sections, encasing six or fewer stamens in the male blossoms. And, it includes a three-celled and three-winged ovary in the female blossoms. 

It finds a full sun of 6-8 hours as appreciable. To gain the desired yield, the yams require a sticky tropical condition, with yearly precipitation more than 1500 mm that gets circulated consistently, all through the developing season. White, yellow, and water sweet potatoes ordinarily produce a tuber each year. The weight of the tubers ranges from 5 to 10 kg. 

Implementation of irrigation during the dry season is a must. If it lasts for more than 3 or 4 months, make sure you operate on with drip irrigation. Short daylights support tuber development while long daylights favor plant development.

Watering

Although yams are moderately dry season oriented plants, they require adequate dampness throughout its development period, especially from 14 to 20 weeks after planting. 

Soil Requirements

Yams are unique yields that ought to get planted in and all-around gardens and fields. Ideal yields are gotten from sandy topsoil. Stony and profoundly compacted soil should not get preferred.

Soil pH

Nurseries and professional growers test soils and modify pH levels to about 5.5. Means, the plant grows well in acidic soil.

Yams are adaptable and simple to grow on following the basic requirements needed; you can easily grow a better plant in your garden. Happy gardening!