%0 Journal Article
%T Distribution, Diversity and Potential Production of Yams ( Dioscorea spp.) in Sheko District, Southwest Ethiopia
%J American Journal of Life Sciences
%@ 2328-5737
%D 2017
%X Yams are the Dioscoreaceae vine plants grown as staple food in tropical and sub-tropical regions that produce underground tubers or aerial bulbs. This researchwas developed with objective of assessing the distribution, diversity and potential production of yams ( Dioscorea spp.) in sheko district, Bench Maji Zone, Ethiopia. A total of 147 informants were selected from six Kebeles using purposive and random sampling method. Reliable data were collected from households using semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and field observations which were analyzed by using Microsoft excel and descriptive statistics. A total of 3 different types of yam species ( Dioscorea abyssinica, Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea bulbifera) were recorded from Sheko district. Yams were identified as a main staple food for the Sheko people. Four well adopted varieties selected by indigenous farmers of Sheko district were identified; among white yam is most preferred one due to its taste and high yield performance. The findings of the study revealed that most of the farmers (96.8%) highly practicing intercropping whereas few farmers (3.2%) practice monoculture mode of cultivation. Farmers¡¯ indigenous experience on production of yam crops in almost all representative kebeles of the District was observed to be tremendous. Therefore, indigenous knowledge of farmers must be valued and supported by research to analyze the productive variety and further improved production and post harvest technology should be introduced.
%K Distribution
%K Indigenous Knowledge
%K Production
%K Yams
%U http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/paperinfo?journalid=118&doi=10.11648/j.ajls.20170503.12