Influence of Manure and Plant Spacing on Growth and Yield of Dioscorea deltoidea Wall: an Endangered Species

A field experiment was conducted during 2006 to 2010 to evaluate application of farm yard manure (FYM, 15, 30rnand 45 t/ha) and spacing (25cm x 25cm, 25cm x 50 cm and 50cm x 50 cm) on crop growth, bio-mass and rhizomernyield of Dioscorea deltoidea. Sprouting numbers were recorded from 0 to 43 days. As per statistical analysis, 60.56rnplants were sprouted after 36 days, maximum in FYM 45 t/ha. However, all results were in increasing order and inrnterms of spacing (50cm x 50cm), it was 63.22, statistically significant after 43 days. In the spacing the sprouting andrnplant length was found in increasing order. The plant length was 96.63 cm maximum in 45t/ha after 43 days. In thernFYM treatment and used spacing, all the results were statically significant. In the case of fresh weight of crop wasrnstatistically significant in terms of different application of FYM and spacing. The highest fresh weight was 15.82,rn38.76 and 59.72 t/ha recorded in FYM 45 t/ha and 18.47, 41.53 and 62.58 t/ha in spacing 50cm x50cm, in 2nd, 3rdrnand 4th year, which are statistically significant. The diosgenin content was consistent on dry weight basis.