Interaction of gibberellic acid and β-Amylase in regulating dormancy and sprouting of yam (Dioscorea spp.) tubers

Authors

  • Michael Akuamoah BOATENG CSIR- Crops Research Institute, Biotechnology Seed and Postharvest Division P. O. Box 3785, AE-0607-9822, Kumasi, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5378-7631
  • Esther NSEASOM CSIR College of Science and Technology, Department of Plant Resources Development, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Philip GHANNEY University of Cape Coast, Department of Biochemistry, Cape Coast, Ghana
  • Jerry AMPOFO-ASIAMA University of Cape Coast, Department of Biochemistry, Cape Coast, Ghana
  • Wilfred SEFAH Kumasi Technical University, Department of Food Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
  • Francis Osei AMOAKO-ANDOH CSIR- Crops Research Institute, Biotechnology Seed and Postharvest Division P. O. Box 3785, AE-0607-9822, Kumasi, Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24297/jaa.v17i.9848

Keywords:

yam (Dioscorea spp.) , sprouting, gibberellic acid (GA3), dormancy, α- and β-amylase activity

Abstract

Prolonged tuber dormancy in yam (Dioscorea spp.) is crucial for storage and economic benefits but hinders production and improvement efforts. Understanding dormancy regulation is necessary for genetic manipulation to enhance postharvest management. This study, using tuber meristematic tissues of three yam cultivars – CRI-Ahoɔdenfoɔ (D. alata), Pona and Labreko (D. rotundata) investigated the influence of endogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) and the enzymes α- and β-amylase on tuber dormancy and sprouting over 90 days of storage. Sprouting occurred at the proximal end of the tubers and coincided with a significant increase in β-amylase activity and maltose levels in the D. rotundata and D. alata cultivars at 60 and 90 days after harvest (DAH), respectively. Starch content decreased during storage. α-Amylase activity increased initially, peaking at 30 DAH, before declining and then rising again during the later storage period. The study established that yam tuber dormancy could be maintained by keeping GA3 content below a threshold limit of 1.8 mg/g, and restricting β-amylase activity to less than a 2.5-fold increase compared to harvest values. The results suggest that dormancy is regulated by a combination of GA3 and β-amylase activity in the meristematic layer of tubers, with GA3 likely inducing α-amylase synthesis for enhanced glucose generation, and β-amylase producing more maltose.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alybayev, S., Smekenov, I., Kuanbay, A., Sarbassov, D., & Bissenbaev, A. (2024). Gibberellic-acid-dependent expression of α-amylase in wheat aleurone cells is mediated by target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling. Current Plant Biology, 37, 100312.

Amankwaah, V. A. (2019). Phenotyping and Genetic Studies of Storage Root Chemistry Traits in Sweetpotato. North Carolina State University.

Amisi, A., Mava, D., Kasonga, R., Makaba, R. M., & Bwanganga, T. J. (2020). Effects of gibberellic acid on the synthesis of alpha and beta amylase during sorghum malting (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Revue Africaine, 3(3), 89–93.

Aubert, M., Coventry, S., Shirley, N., Betts, N., Würschum, T., Burton, R., & Tucker, M. (2018). Differences in hydrolytic enzyme activity accompany natural variation in mature aleurone morphology in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Scientific Reports, 8(1), 11025.

Bagri, J., Yadav, A., Anwar, K., Dkhar, J., Singla-Pareek, S. L., & Pareek, A. (2017). Metabolic shift in sugars and amino acids regulates sprouting in saffron corm. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 1–10.

Baulcombe, D., & Buffard, D. (1983). Gibberellic-acid-regulated expression of α-amylase and six other genes in wheat aleurone layers. Planta, 15(6), 493–501.

Boateng, M. A., Amoako-Andoh, F. O., Wireko-Manu, F. D., & Agbenorhevi, J. K. (2021). Yam tuber dormancy and sprouting: The role of concentration dynamics of endogenous gibberellic acid. Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana, 14(1), 1375–1386. https://doi.org/10.4314/afsjg.v14i1.4

Chrispeels, M., & Varner, J. (1967). Gibberellic acid-enhanced synthesis and release of α-amylase and ribonuclease by isolated barley and aleurone layers. Plant Physiology, 42(3), 398–406.

Chrungoo, N. K., & Farooq, S. (1985). Correlative changes in carbohydrate content and starch hydrolysing enzymes in corms of saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L.) during dormancy and sprouting. Biochemie Und Physiologie Der Pflanzen, 180(1), 55–61.

Considine, M. J., & Considine, J. A. (2016). On the language and physiology of dormancy and quiescence in plants. Journal of Experimental Botany, 67(11), 3189-3203.

Craufurd, P. Q., Summerfield, R. J., Asiedu, R., & Prasad, P. V. (2001). Dormancy in yams. Experimental Agriculture, 37(2), 147–181.

Das, R., & Kayastha, A. (2023). An overview on starch processing and key enzymes. In J. Wu & W. Xia (Eds.), Industrial Starch Debranching Enzymes. Singapore: Springer.

Datir, S., Kumbhar, R., & Kumatkar, P. (2024). Understanding physiological and biochemical mechanisms associated with post-harvest storage of Yam tuber (Dioscorea sp.). Technology in Horticulture, 4(1).

Degbeu, K. C., Désiré, A. Y., Olivier, K. K., & Amani, N. G. (2025). Physicochemical properties of yam tuber (Dioscorea rotundata) according to its longitudinal axis. Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 44(5), 213–221.

FAOSTAT. (2025). Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Domains – Crops and livestock products. Https://Www.Fao.Org/Faostat/En/#data/QCL.

Haider, M., Nafees, M., Iqbal, R., Asad, H., Azeem, F., Ali, B., … Rahman, M. H. (2023). Postharvest starch and sugars adjustment in potato tubers of wide-ranging dormancy genotypes subjected to various sprout forcing techniques. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 14845.

Hamadina, E. I., Togun, A. O., & Hamadina, M. K. (2015). Changes in crude protein content in the peel and pulp of three tuber regions of yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) during storage in dark and natural light environments. International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 5(2), 160–165. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.ijaf.20150502.10

Hamadina, E. I., & Asiedu, R. (2015). Dry matter, free sugar and starch changes in tuber regions of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata poir), and the effect of storage environment. Journal of Advances in Agriculture, 4(1), 303–309.

Hamadina, E. I. (2011). The control of yam tuber dormancy: a framework for maniupulation. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Ibadan, Nigeria.

Hariprakash, C. S., & Nambisan, B. (1996). Carbohydrate metabolism during dormancy and sprouting in yam (Dioscorea) tubers: Changes in carbohydrate constituents in yam (Dioscorea) tubers during dormancy and sprouting. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 44(10), 3066–3069.

Holbrook, A. A., Edge, W. J. W., & Bailey, F. (1961). Spectrophotometric method for determination of gibberellic acid. Advances in Chemistry Series, 28, 159–167. https://doi.org/10.1021/ba-1961-0028.ch018

Ile, E. I., Craufurd, P. Q., Battey, N. H., & Asiedu, R. (2006). Phases of dormancy in yam tubers (Dioscorea rotundata). Annals of Botany, 97(4), 497–504. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcl002

Jaleel, C. A., Gopi, R., Manivannan, P., Kishorekumar, A., Gomathinayagam, M., & Panneerselvam, R. (2007). Changes in biochemical constituents and induction of early sprouting by triadimefon treatment in white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) tubers during storage. Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B, 8(4), 283–288. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2007.B0283

Joshi, R. (2018). Role of enzymes in seed germination. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 6(2), 1481–1485.

Karp, N. A., & Lilley, K. S. (2009). Investigating sample pooling strategies for DIGE experiments to address biological variability. Proteomics, 9(2), 388–397. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmic.200800485

Liu, S., Wang, W., Lu, H., Shu, Q., Zhang, Y., & Chen, Q. (2022). New perspectives on physiological, biochemical and bioactive components during germination of edible seeds: A review. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 123, 187–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2022.02.029

Makanjuola, O. M., & Osinfade, B. (2017). Determination of sugars in yams under storage during the dry season. Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT), 11(11), 24–27.

Muñoz-Llandes, C. B., Martínez-Villaluenga, C., Palma-Rodríguez, H. M., Román-Gutiérrez, A. D., Castro-Rosas, J., & Guzmán-Ortiz, F. A. (2023). Effect of germination on starch. In Starch: Advances in Modifications, Technologies and Applications (pp. 457–486). Springer Nature.

Nabubuya, A., Namutebi, A., Byaruhanga, Y., Narvhus, J., & Wicklund, T. (2017). Influence of development, postharvest handling, and storage conditions on the carbohydrate components of sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas Lam) roots. Food Science & Nutrition, 5(6), 1088–1097.

Nabubuya, A., Namutebi, A., Byaruhanga, Y., Narvhus, J., & Wicklund, T. (2012). Potential use of selected sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas Lam) varieties as defined by chemical and flour pasting characteristics. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 3, 889–896.

Nwogha, J., Wosene, A., Raveendran, M., Obidiegwu, J., Oselebe, H., Kambale, R., … Rajagopalan, V. (2023). Comparative metabolomics profiling reveals key metabolites and associated pathways regulating tuber dormancy in white yam (Dioscorea rotundata poir.). Metabolites, 13(5), 610.

Nwogha, J. S., Wosene, A. G., Raveendran, M., Oselebe, H. O., Obidiegwu, J. E., & Amirtham, D. (2022). Physiological and molecular basis of dormancy in yam tuber: A way forward towards genetic manipulation of dormancy in yam tubers. Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, 22(2), 47–73.

Panneerselvam, R., Jaleel, C. A., Somasundaram, R., Sridharan, R., & Gomathinayagam, M. (2007). Carbohydrate metabolism in Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.) Burk tubers and Curcuma longa L. rhizomes during two phases of dormancy. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 59, 59–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2007.04.006

Salman, S. K., Ktub, A. F., Nayef, A. T., & Hassan, K. F. (2024). Production of alpha-amylase enzyme from grain sprouting. Journal of Medical Genetics and Clinical Biology, 1(5), 54–67.

Tareen, M. B. K., Saeed, N., Sultan, M., Chen, X., Li, J., & Yan, S. (2025). Yam as functional food: bioactive properties, health benefits, and applications. Food, Nutrition and Health, 2(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44403-025-00022-3

Tomasik, P., & Horton, D. (2012). Enzymatic conversions of starch. Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biochemistry, 68, 59–436.

Wang, S., Lue, W., Eimert, K., & Chen, J. (1996). Phytohormone-regulated β-amylase gene expression in rice. Plant Molecular Biology, 31(5), 975–982.

Wireko-ManuOduro, I., Ellis, W. O., Asiedu, R., & Maziya-Dixon, B. (2013). Food quality changes in water yam (Dioscorea Alata) during growth and storage. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 1(3), 66–72.

Xu, F., Tan, X., & Wang, Z. (2010). Effects of sucrose on germination and seedling development of Brassica napus. International Journal of Biology, 2(1), 150–154.

Yu, H., Wang, L. L., Chen, X. Y., Yang, Y., Yu, X. R., Wang, Z., & Xiong, F. (2016). Effects of exogenous gibberellic acid and abscisic acid on ge rmination, amylases, and endosperm structure of germinating wheat seeds. Seed Science and Technology, 44(1), 64–76. https://doi.org/doi:10.15258/sst.2016.44.1.09

Zhang, H., Shen, W., Zhang, W., & Xu, L.. (2005). A rapid response of β-amylase to nitric oxide but not gibberellin in wheat seeds during the early stage of germination. Planta, 220(5), 708–716.

Zum Felde, T., Burgos, G., Espinoza, J., Eyzaguirre, R., Porras, E., & Grüneberg, W. (2009). Screening for β-carotene, iron, zinc, starch, individual sugars and protein in sweetpotato germplasm by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). In 15th Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops, Lima, Peru.

Downloads

Published

2026-04-04

How to Cite

BOATENG, M. A. ., NSEASOM, E. ., GHANNEY, P. ., AMPOFO-ASIAMA, J. ., SEFAH, W. ., & AMOAKO-ANDOH, F. O. (2026). Interaction of gibberellic acid and β-Amylase in regulating dormancy and sprouting of yam (Dioscorea spp.) tubers. JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE, 17, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.24297/jaa.v17i.9848

Issue

Vol. 17 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Michael Akuamoah BOATENG, Esther NSEASOM, Philip GHANNEY, Jerry AMPOFO-ASIAMA, Wilfred SEFAH, Francis Osei AMOAKO-ANDOH

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Creative Commons License All articles published in Journal of Advances in Linguistics are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.