Tissue Culture Propagation of Yam in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Rapid propagation of yam (Dioscorea rotundata cv. Habanero) was obtained from nodal segments cultured in modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing indoleacetic acid (IAA) and kinetin as establishment medium, and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) as rooting medium. The proliferation cycle, which takes approximately 2-3 months, increased four times the production of yam plantlets. These plantlets were successfully transferred to potting mixture and soil. This procedure is extremely useful for regenerating virusfree plantlets suitable for producing healthy tubers for planting.