Yam Germplasm In Ghana - A Survey On Storage And Varietal Properties Of Dioscorea Rotundata- Alata In Northern Region Of Ghana

As part of research towards building a data base for the study of yam germplasm in Ghana, a baseline study was carried out to ascertain the storage properties and challenges faced in the protection of yam biodiversity. The survey was conducted in six districts of the Northern region of Ghana which are the major yam production areas. Questionnaires were administered to yam farmers and sellers in each of these districts to elucidate information on harvesting, and storability of available yam varieties. Forty-six (46) varieties were encountered. The yams were largely characterised as short storage and long storage types. Short storage varieties were early sprouting, early maturing, and prone to yam rot. They include lariboko, kpuna, yiri, kulunku, sangaguo and gunguma. Long shelf life varieties were late sprouting, late in maturing, and more resistant to rot. They include olondo, mpuano, akaaba, kparinjo, limo, fugura and kparinsi. Varieties noted to be nearing extinction were kinima, nimo, kunkuma, pupu, chamba and sung. Some of the factors contributing to their nearing extinction or being limited in cultivation included unavailability of setts, poor yield, and low market value.