Sprouting of Yam Bulbils as Affected by Chemical Treatment

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 GA₃ thus exhibited the lowest sprouting coefficient. GA₃-treated yam bulbils tended to produce the shortest sprouts.