Philippine E-Journals

Sprouting of Yam Bulbils as Affected by Chemical Treatment

Emma Ruth V. Bayogan | Ofelia K. Bautista

Discipline: agricultural sciences

 

Abstract:

The sprouting of yam (Dioscorea alata cv. Baligun-on) bulbils treated with ethephon (up to 10,000 ppm) and calcium carbide (up to 100,000 ppm) was neither hastened nor delayed. In contrast, gibberellic acid (GA3) from 75 to 300 ppm progressively delayed sprouting and reduced weight losses. The extension of dormancy was in the range of 18 to 33%. Bulbils treated with 300 ppm GA3 took longest to form the calyptrae, show purple color and initiate sprouting. The lots treated with 300 ppm GA 3 thus exhibited the lowest sprouting coefficient. GA3-treated yam bulbils tended to produce the shortest sprouts.