Diseases of Yam

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a perennial herbaceous vine plant that produces edible tubers. It is an economically important food crop in many tropical countries, mainly produced by small-hold farmers who rely on the crop for consumption and source of income. Nigeria is currently the largest producer of the crop. For Western Africans, the yam is a highly esteemed food crop integrated into the social, cultural, economic, and religious aspects of their lives. The major diseases posing threats to the production of yams are yam anthracnose disease, Cercospora leaf spot, rust, collar rot, cucumber mosaic virus, yam mosaic virus, yam mild mosaic virus, dry-rot of yam, root-knot nematode, and root-lesion nematode. Several management strategies can be indicated for the control of yam diseases; however, it is of great importance the integration of various control measures, such as biological, cultural, genetic, and chemical. Information on registered chemicals available for use against these diseases is scarce. Therefore, it is necessary to consult government official publications for recommended/registered products in the respective countries. Genetic resistance and preventive control (using healthy seed tubers and crop rotation) represent efficient, economical, and ecologically viable strategies to minimize losses caused by diseases in yam.