Effects of Trellis Techniques on Growth, Development, and Yield of Dioscorea persimilis in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam

Abstract

Dioscorea persimilis is an important medicinal and nutritional climbing plant widely cultivated in northern Vietnam; however, limited information is available regarding suitable trellis techniques to improve its growth and productivity. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different trellis systems on the growth, yield, and economic efficiency of the medicinal plant Dioscorea persimilis in Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam, during the 2024–2025 growing seasons. The study was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications included four treatments (T1, T2, T3, and T4). Various agronomic characteristics, yield components, tuber yield, and economic indicators were recorded to determine the suitability of different trellis systems for Hoai Son cultivation. The results revealed significant differences among the treatments at the 95% confidence level. Among the treatments, T2, which using a clustered trellis system, recorded the highest values for plant height (202.3 cm), stem diameter (3.7 mm), leaf length (10.9 cm), leaf width (6.7 cm), tuber weight (0.68 kg), and tuber yield (31.6 t ha⁻¹), along with the greatest economic return compared to the other treatments at the 95% confidence level. The superior performance of the clustered trellis system may be attributed to improved vine support, better canopy distribution, and enhanced light interception, thereby promoting vegetative growth and tuber development. In conclusion, the clustered trellis system is considered a promising cultivation technique for improving the productivity and economic efficiency of Hoai Son production in mountainous regions of northern Vietnam.