IITA researchers grow ‘seed yams in the air’

The development experts said has raised hopes and more options for the propagation of virus- and disease-free planting materials, for rapidly multiplying the much needed clean seed yam tubers in large quantities.
Aeroponics System is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium.
Until now, the technology is a novelty in the growing of yams as it is only widely used by commercial potato seed producers in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania,   Mozambique, Malawi, among others
IITA scientists, led by Dr. Norbert Maroya, Project Manager for the Yam Improvement for Incomes and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA) project, together with a team of scientists engaged in the research unveiled the breakthrough.   The team has successfully propagated yam by directly planting vine cuttings in Aeroponics System (AS) boxes to produce mini-tubers in the air.
 “With this approach we are optimistic that farmers will begin to have clean seed yams for better harvest,” Dr. Maroya told journalists on the occasion.