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Improving the application of gibberellic acid to prolong dormancy of yam tubers ( Dioscorea spp)
Author(s) -
Tschannen Andreas B,
Girardin Olivier,
Nindjin Charlemagne,
Daouda Dao,
Farah Zakaria,
Stamp Peter,
Escher Felix
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.1411
Subject(s) - dioscorea rotundata , dormancy , dioscorea , starch , gibberellic acid , horticulture , dioscoreaceae , chemistry , botany , biology , food science , germination , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
With the aim of reducing the cost and time needed to treat yam tubers with gibberellic acid (GA 3 ), this study compared several new methods of application with the established dipping procedure (150 mg kg −1 for 1 h). Both GA 3 ‐containing soil paste (25 mg kg −1 ) and gelatinized starch (860 mg kg −1 ) were applied to tuber heads of Dioscorea alata and D cayenensis‐rotundata in the Ivory Coast. Soil paste, gelatinized starch and dipping consistently prolonged dormancy and reduced fresh matter losses by 23–39% in D cayenensis‐rotundata 3‐year means. Although dipping reduced the storage losses most efficiently, soil paste and gelatinized starch used considerably less GA 3 . Both new treatments were easily prepared and quickly applied. Soil paste was most effective when the treatment was repeated before the end of dormancy. The third new method, spraying the tubers with a GA 3 solution (150 mg kg −1 ), was not effective. In general, the optimal time of application was immediately post‐harvest. For D alata , treatment only 1 month after harvest was particularly ineffective, whereas D cayenensis‐rotundata tubers could be treated with some effect up to the end of dormancy. To achieve extended storage periods of healthy tubers of D cayenensis‐rotundata , GA 3 application may be recommended as post‐harvest practice. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry