IITA–CGIAR, in collaboration with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), has released three new yam varieties—UMUDa35-Delight, UMUDr33-Blessing, and UMUDr34-Sunshine for farmers. The announcement was made at the 31st Meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breed/Fisheries held in Ibadan on 19 January.
UMUDa35-Delight is D. alata (water yam), while UMUDr33-Blessing and UMUDr34-Sunshine are both D. rotundata (white yam). The new varieties originated from IITA and were released to farmers through NRCRI, Umudike. They were released because of their remarkable attributes, such as high yield, high dry matter, and flour production, as well as good boiling and pounding capabilities.
These new varieties are all resistant to the yam mosaic virus and anthracnose.
The water yam variety, UMUDa35-Delight, possesses some morphological characteristics such as a green sagittate leaf, vigorous and cylindrical tuber, dark brown skin tuber, and creamy white tuber flesh. With a maturation period between 240 and 270 days and a potential yield (t/ha) of 45.7, it thrives in the southern Guinea savanna, derived savanna, and humid rainforest.
This nutrient-rich variety has ash (3.3%), protein (7.3%), crude fiber (2.0%),
amylose (34.4%), sugar (5.6%), and phytate (0.8%). The results showed yam to be a reasonably good source of minerals.
The UMUDr33-Blessing, a white yam variety, possesses some morphological characteristics such as a green cordate leaf, cylindrical tuber, dark green petiole, smooth light brown skin tuber, and creamy white tuber flesh. It matures between 230 and 260 days, has a potential yield of 33 t/ha, and flourishes in the southern Guinea savanna, derived savanna, and humid rainforest. Apart from its high yield and high dry matter, it also has low peel loss.
The following nutrients were identified as being present in the variety: Protein (4.77%), fat (0.33%), crude fiber (1.62%), amylose (34.41%), sugar (5.13%), phytate (1.04%), and CHO (81.8%).
The other white yam variety, UMUDr34-Sunshine, has morphological characteristics such as a green cordate leaf, cylindrical tuber, pale green petiole, rough brown skin tuber, and creamy white tuber flesh. Maturing between 250 and 270 days, it has a potential yield of 31.8 t/ha and thrives in the southern Guinea savanna and derived savanna. Its excellent boiling and pounding qualities are some outstanding traits.
The following nutrients were identified as being present in the variety: Protein (5.84%), fat (0.31%), crude fiber (1.41%), amylose (38.10%), sugar (5.25%), phytate (1.02%), and CHO (80.90%).
Researchers also recorded that the yam varieties are reasonably good sources of minerals.
Contributed by the AfricaYam Team
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