Problems and perspectives of yambased cropping systems in Africa

Yams (Dioscorea spp.) constitute an important starchy staple in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where food security for a growing population is a critical issue. Mixed cropping in yam based systems is the norm in the region and productivity of yams in these systems is below potential. It is concluded that...

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Autores principales: Ekanayake, I.J., Asiedu, Robert
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Informa UK Limited 2003
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96363
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author Ekanayake, I.J.
Asiedu, Robert
author_browse Asiedu, Robert
Ekanayake, I.J.
author_facet Ekanayake, I.J.
Asiedu, Robert
author_sort Ekanayake, I.J.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Yams (Dioscorea spp.) constitute an important starchy staple in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where food security for a growing population is a critical issue. Mixed cropping in yam based systems is the norm in the region and productivity of yams in these systems is below potential. It is concluded that there is much scope for improvement of yam based cropping systems in SSA in order to meet the needs of the region. The strategy of crop breeding to select yam varieties suitable for various cropping systems must consider a truly multidisciplinary systems approach. Further manipulation must be made to tuber dormancy to expand flexibility in field propagation in different cropping systems and improve storage and marketing. The sustainability of yam based cropping systems in SSA could improve if agronomic research was focused on strategies for improving soil fertility, weed and pest management including design of cropping systems and suitable rotations.
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publishDate 2003
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spelling CGSpace963632024-05-15T05:11:10Z Problems and perspectives of yambased cropping systems in Africa Ekanayake, I.J. Asiedu, Robert yams cropping systems food security yam breeding dioscorea biotechnology Yams (Dioscorea spp.) constitute an important starchy staple in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where food security for a growing population is a critical issue. Mixed cropping in yam based systems is the norm in the region and productivity of yams in these systems is below potential. It is concluded that there is much scope for improvement of yam based cropping systems in SSA in order to meet the needs of the region. The strategy of crop breeding to select yam varieties suitable for various cropping systems must consider a truly multidisciplinary systems approach. Further manipulation must be made to tuber dormancy to expand flexibility in field propagation in different cropping systems and improve storage and marketing. The sustainability of yam based cropping systems in SSA could improve if agronomic research was focused on strategies for improving soil fertility, weed and pest management including design of cropping systems and suitable rotations. 2003-01 2018-08-09T06:40:32Z 2018-08-09T06:40:32Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96363 en Limited Access Informa UK Limited Ekanayake, I.J. & Asiedu, R. (2003). Problems and perspectives of yam-based cropping systems in Africa. Journal of Crop Production, 9(1-2), 531-558.
spellingShingle yams
cropping systems
food security
yam breeding
dioscorea
biotechnology
Ekanayake, I.J.
Asiedu, Robert
Problems and perspectives of yambased cropping systems in Africa
title Problems and perspectives of yambased cropping systems in Africa
title_full Problems and perspectives of yambased cropping systems in Africa
title_fullStr Problems and perspectives of yambased cropping systems in Africa
title_full_unstemmed Problems and perspectives of yambased cropping systems in Africa
title_short Problems and perspectives of yambased cropping systems in Africa
title_sort problems and perspectives of yambased cropping systems in africa
topic yams
cropping systems
food security
yam breeding
dioscorea
biotechnology
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96363
work_keys_str_mv AT ekanayakeij problemsandperspectivesofyambasedcroppingsystemsinafrica
AT asiedurobert problemsandperspectivesofyambasedcroppingsystemsinafrica