Yam (Dioscorea spp.) - A rich staple crop neglected by research

Summary

Yams (Dioscorea spp.) are widely grown throughout the tropics. Three yam species constitute the staple for more than 60 million people in five West African coastal countries, where more than 90% of the world's production takes place. Here we give a general introduction to yams, including their origin and geographic distribution as well as different types of yams common in Africa and Asia, and outline their uses. However, the main body in this chapter pertains to the agricultural production practices, including information on climatic requirements, soil type and land preparation, propagation, agronomic practices, pests and diseases (and their control), harvesting, curing and storage. Finally, we elaborate on the need for future research, in particular on the development of sustainable yam cropping systems which ensure sustained farm income.