Histological Study of the Polarity of Yam Tuber (Dioscorea spp.) at the Beginning of Tuberization

Yam, like most roots and tubers, has a tissue variation that is responsible for the difference in cooking observed during culinary preparations. In order to understand the origin of this variation, this study was conducted through optical microscope and SEM observation of the beginning of tuberization. The local variety named Kponan of Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata was used. The days after the beginning of the tuberization, the protrusion of the stem base intensified and gives rise to the tuber. The histological study of the onset of tuberization revealed once again the existence of a longitudinal growth gradient whose point of growth is the apex and the sense of maturity of the distal part at the proximal end. The cells birth at the apex and differ a little more towards the middle part of the tuber. The apex is the driving zone for the tuber's lengthwise growth. The cambial cells ensure this growth in length and thickness of the tuber. The tuber's growth activity decreases from the distal part to the proximal one. The distal part contains more vacuolated cells thus rich in water and less starch than the middle and proximal parts. The cell wall is thin and less lignified. The cambium generates cells at the lower end of the apex. These very vacuolated cells differentiate and will form the median and proximal parts of the tuber. The distal part will remain immature compared to the other two parts. This could explain the low dry matter and the origin of rejection or elimination of the distal part during culinary operations.