ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Chlorophyll, Proximate and Mineral Composition of Yam Leaves Grown under Aeroponics and Field Systems

The chlorophyll, proximate and mineral compositions of four elite yam varieties grown under aeroponic and field systems were investigated. The yam varieties used were TDa 98/01176, TDr 95/18544, TDr 95/19177 and TDr 95/19158. One node vines were planted in polythene bags for four weeks and transferred to aeroponics and field system respectively. The chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophylls of field grown varieties of TDr 95/18544, TDr 95/19177 and TDr 95/19158 were all significantly lower than that of aeroponics system. Chlorophyll ‘a’ concentration was higher than that of chlorophyll ‘b’ in all the field and aeroponic grown varieties except for aeroponics grown TDr 95/19177. Leaf moisture, crude fibre content of aeroponics grown yam seedlings were significantly (p˂0.05) higher than those of the field system. The nitrogen (N) content of TDa 98/01176 was significantly (p˂0.05) higher for the field sample compared to that of aeroponic system. There was no significant (p˃0.05) difference in Nitrogen composition for the other varieties. Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na) and phosphorus (P) content of the field samples were not significantly different from that of aeroponics system. The differences in chlorophyll content in this study may be due to differences in exposure to sunlight. This could enhance yam mineral concentration thereby improving nutrition.