Root & Crops & Tubers· Dioscorea rotundata

Yam Growing Guide

A starchy tuber crop central to food security in West Africa, which produces over 90% of the world supply. White yam (D. rotundata) is the most commercially important of the 600+ Dioscorea species.

How Long Does Yam Take to Grow?

Yam is typically ready to harvest about 240 days after planting.

240

Days to Harvest

8,830

kg/hectare

high

Water Needs

full sun

Sun Needs

FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.

Growing Conditions

Temperature

25-30°C optimal

Rainfall

1000-1800 mm/year

Frost Tolerance

none

Drought Tolerance

moderate

Humidity

high tolerance

Heat Tolerance

moderate

Soil Requirements

Soil Type & pH

Best soil types: sandy loam, loam, silt loam

pH range: 6.4 - 6.7 (optimal: 6.6)

Drainage: good

Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)

Nitrogen (N)moderate

Phosphorus (P)moderate

Potassium (K)high

Planting Guide

Planting Methods

sett planting, vine cuttings, minisett technique

Planting Depth

10 cm

Plant Spacing

100 cm apart, 100 cm rows

Planting Season

early_spring, late_spring

Yield & Economics

Yield Range

760 - 43,940 kg/ha

Common Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

yam beetle
mealybugs
nematodes

Common Diseases

yam anthracnose
yam mosaic virus
dry rot

Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.

Growing Tips

Mound or ridge planting (30-40 cm high) is essential for proper tuber development and drainage.

Staking vines to 2-meter poles increases yields by 30-40% compared to unstaked plants.

Milking harvest (removing tuber while leaving vine intact) allows a second smaller tuber to form.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Yam take to grow?

Yam typically takes 240 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 21 days. The best planting season is early_spring, late_spring.

What soil does Yam need?

Yam grows best in sandy loam, loam, silt loam soil with a pH of 6.4-6.7. Good drainage is required.

What temperature does Yam need?

Yam grows best at 25-30°C. Frost tolerance: none. Heat tolerance: moderate.

What is the expected yield for Yam?

Across 59 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Yam range from 760 to 43,940 kg/hectare, with a median of 8,830. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.