Inducing Tuber Formation in Dioscorea bulbifera L. Accessions through the Use of Minisetts

Dioscorea bulbifera a species of yam in the family Dioscoreaceae produces aerial bulbils in addition to underground tuber. The process of partitioning in this plant is poorly coordinated, as a result tuber formation do not occur in most cases. Therefore, minisetting was used as a signal induction mechanism to enable meristematic cells proliferate into tuber formation. Result revealed 25% of plants grown by whole bulbils produced tubers, while 80% of plants grown by minisetts produced tubers. Accession TDb3086 grown with whole bulbil had the highest average bulbil weight (218.71g), while its minisett had an average bulbil weight of 53.24g. Accession TDb3692 grown with minisett had the highest bulbil weight 119.83g, while its minisett had an average bulbil weight of 171.73g. Average Bulbil weight was higher than average tuber weight in both whole bulbils grown plants (control) and minisett plants.