DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2019.v07i07.003

Pages: 299-305

Yam is one of the oldest recorded major food crops that are sources of income, carbohydrates and many synthetic drugs grown by small–scale farmers in Africa. Low yield is caused by nutrients depletion due to desertification, over cultivation, over grazing, excessive use of inorganic fertilizers among others. This work examines the physiological and yield influence of different doses of inorganic fertilizers compared with green manure of Gliricidia sepium and Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on white yam’s vine cuttings on a continuous cropping system. The work was laid out in complete randomized block design (CRBD). Treatments consisted of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae), Gliricidia sepium, Nitrogen-phosphorous and Potassium (NPK) fertilizer, Super Phosphate fertilizer and Urea fertilizer which were either applied singly and or in combinations. Parameters measured were leaf chlorophyll content, relative water content, roots dry weight, shoot dry weight, tubers’ diameter and tuber fresh weight. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance while means were separated using Duncan multiple range test (DMRT). Results obtained showed that AMF combined with green manure of Gliricidia sepium enhanced vine cuttings’ leave chlorophyll content, tuber shoot and root weights. There was positive correlation between vine cuttings chlorophyll production and mini-tubers yield in white yam. The use of bio fertilizers in yam production will not only make its cultivation more affordable, but will also increase its yield alleviate hunger and poverty and remove farmers’ over dependence on inorganic fertilizers in Nigeria in particular and all over the yam growing regions of the world.