Open AccessEffect of Fertilizers on the Sapogenin Yields of Dioscorea composita in Puerto Rico
Author(s) -
H. J. Cruzado,
Herminio Delpín,
Franklin W. Martin
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the journal of agriculture of the university of puerto rico/the journal of agriculture of the university of puerto rico
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.123
H-Index - 10
eISSN - 2308-1759
pISSN - 0041-994X
DOI - 10.46429/jaupr.v49i2.13024
Subject(s) - sapogenin , dioscorea , diosgenin , chemistry , yield (engineering) , potassium , zoology , biology , medicine , materials science , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology , metallurgy
Seedlings of Dioscorea composita were treated with various combinations of ammonium sulfate, superphosphate, and potassium sulfate over a 3-year period. The tubers of the resulting plantings were tested for sapogenin content. Complete fertilization increased the sapogenin yields significantly as compared with an untreated control. Incomplete combinations or single-nutrient treatments did not significantly increase yields and, in some cases, decreased them. Yield increases were associated with increased fresh and dry weight. Although no significant effects of fertility on percentage of sapogenin were found, tubers in unfertilized plots contained the highest sapogenin in percentage.