Improved technologies (row planting, ridging, seed treatment, weed management, fertilizer application) with a proven record of sustained productivity for yam production are imperative for food security. This study promotes the efficacy of these existing improved agronomic practices using a farmer-based participatory approach in some selected major yam-growing areas in the forest–savannah transition zone of Ghana. The improved agronomic practice treatment included use of ridging as seedbed, seed treatment before planting, fertilizer application at a rate of 30:30:36 N:P2O5: K2O kg/ha plus 15 kg/ha Mg and 20 kg/ha S as MgSO4 and the use of minimum stakes (trellis; 30-50% fewer stakes used by farmers). This was compared with farmers’ practice, which consisted of mounding, no fertilizer application, and no seed treatment. A significantly (p ≤ 0.01) higher yam yields (more than 60%) were observed for the improved agronomic practice over the farmers’ practice at Ejura, Atebubu, and Kintampo which are major yam-growing communities of Ghana. Sensory evaluation showed that the culinary quality of fertilized yam was as good as unfertilized yam. The contribution of existing improved yam production practices in the selected yam communities of Ghana was quantified in terms of their productivity and economic benefit to smallholder farmers.

https://dx.doi.org/10.31248/jasp2020.193

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Norbert Maroyahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7079-4729

https://dx.doi.org/10.31248/jasp2020.193

Biotech and Plant Breeding

Agronomy; Food Security; Plant Breeding; Plant Production; Yam

Pilot Farms; Fertilizers; Staking; Seed Treatment; Yams; Ghana

Africa; West Africa

Ghana

Headquarters and Western Africa Hub

Journal of Agricultural Science and Practice