Optimum time for hand pollination in yam (Dioscorea spp.).

ABSTRACT: Hand pollination success rate is low in yam (Dioscorea spp.), due partly to suboptimal weather conditions. Thus, determining the most suitable time for pollination could improve the pollination success in yam breeding programs. We performed continuous hand pollination within flowering windows of D. rotundata and D. alata for two consecutive years to determine the most appropriate month, week, and hours of the day allowing maximum pollination success. In D. alata crossing block, we observed significant differences among crossing hours for pollination success (p = 0.003); morning hours (8-12 a.m.) being more conducive than afternoons (12-5 p.m.). No significant differences existed between crossing hours in D. rotundata, though the mid-day seemed optimal. For both species, the time interval 1

SUBMITTER: Mondo JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9387836 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature