Response of with yam to different planting densities and trellis height

Abstract

The tubers of spiny yam are one of the main food sources for producers in the Caribbean region of Colombia. However, the productivity of the crop is low due to the scarce use of sustainable management practices that contribute to its improvement. In this sense, a study was conducted at the Turipaná Research Center of Agrosavia, El Carmen de Bolívar, with the objective of evaluating the response in yield of purple stalk hawthorn yam cv. purple stalk to different planting densities and trellis heights. Six treatments were evaluated in a randomized complete block experimental design with a split plot arrangement, the main plot corresponded to two densities (14,285 plants ha-1 and 20,000 plants ha-1) and the subplots to three trellis heights (1.6 m; 2.0 m and 2.4 m). Planting density was the only factor that significantly influenced yield; the use of 20,000 plants ha-1 increased yield by 28.68% compared to the lowest density. The use of supports with heights of 2.4 m in combination with either of the two planting densities induced the production of tubers unsuitable for commercialization. The findings of this research suggest that increasing plant density could be a safe measure to increase yields and economic efficiency in the cultivation of hawthorn yam. Future evaluations are needed on stand height and number of plants to tie per stand.