Information on the nitrogen (N) nutrition of yam (Dioscorea spp) is limited. Our objective was to elucidate the factors controlling N uptake by D. rotundata and D. alata. We analyzed results obtained with improved cultivars of these species grown in three field experiments among which 15N-fertilizer was used in one. Plant biomass production, leaf area index (LAI), root length density, N and 15N uptake by the plant were measured in these experiments. Nitrogen uptake was controlled in both species by plant demand and N inputs. A positive relation was observed between N uptake and LAI. Despite the small root system, the ability of the plant to take N up was high. The amount of N derived from the fertilizer recovered in the plant was explained by total N uptake. Finally, avenues to improve the low nitrogen fertilizer recovery (<20%) in yam are discussed. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2019.1659315Altmetric score:
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Publication year
2020
Authors
Hgaza, K.V.; Oberson, A.; Kiba, I.D.; Diby, L.N.; Ake, S.; Frossard, E.
Language
English
Keywords
fertilizers, yams, nitrate fertilizers, nutrient uptake
Geographic
Côte d'Ivoire
