In vitro Propagation and Study of Thiourea in Effective Breakage of Bud Dormancy in White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.)

Abstract

Yams are one of the most important tuber crop grown in India. They are members of genus Dioscorea which produces tubers, bulbils or rhizomes having economic importance. They are consumed as staple food and are rich in starch and energy. The most important part of yam is tuber. Yam propagation is by seeds using conventional methods is slow and not adequate for rapid multiplication. In yam cultivation, the most important problem faced by farmers is the non availability of quality planting material, because part of the tuber itself is saved as planting material for next season. Quality of planting material should also be assured to ensure good sprouting and less contamination. In vitro propagation helps to avoid problems related to ex vitro. So the necessity of standardization of protocol for in vitro propagation is inevitable and attempted in the present study. It helps in mass propagation of bushy white yam and enhances the availability of planting materials to farmers. Yam tubers have long dormant period that restricts sprouting or germination faster. This leads to restricting supply and the rate of progress of crop improvement. Present study also focused on the application of thiourea which decreased the dormancy period progressively.