Greater Yam (Dioscorea alata)

Climate

  • Intolerant to frost and excessively high temperatures.
  • Temperature - 30oC
  • Rainfall - 120-200 cm
For satisfactory tuber formation it requires
  • Day length greater than 12 hours -Initial stages
  • Shorter day length - Later part of the growing season

Soil

  • Loose, deep, well-drained, fertile soil
  • Does not come up well in waterlogged conditions.

Season

  • Normal planting time - March-April (later part of the dry season)