Abstract: Using randomized block experimental design, taking Hubei Enshi bangbang yam as the control, the variety comparative test among Anhui Tongcheng yam, Shandong Weifang yam, Jiangsu Huai’an yam was conducted to observe the growing period, agronomic traits, economic traits and quality characteristics, so as to screen out the most suitable yam varieties in Enshi autonomous prefecture. Research results showed that, Anhui Tongcheng yam is early maturity variety, Enshi bangbang yam and Shandong Weifang yam are medium maturing varieties, Jiangsu Huai’an yam is late maturing variety. From the view of agronomic traits, Enshi bangbang yam and Huai’an yam has stronger growing, much branched, no or few bulbil; Anhui Tongcheng yam had weak growing, little ramose, more bulbil; Shandong Weifang yam had medium growing, more branches, no bulbil. From the view of economic traits, the production of Huai’an yam and Enshi bangbang yam was the highest, that of Shandong Weifang yam was medium, Anhui Tongcheng yam yield was the least. From the view of quality characteristics, Enshi bangbang yam starch content, crude protein content and selenium content were the highest, the quality was the highest; Jiangsu Huai’an yam water content, total soluble sugar content was the highest, selenium content was higher; Anhui Tongcheng yam all components contents were higher, the quality was upper; Shandong Weifang yam water content and starch content was higher. In conclusion, Enshi bangbang yam is most suitable for planting in Enshi, with high quality, high yield, rich selenium, good medicinal value; Jiangsu Huaian yam was secondly, with high yield, upper quality, suitable for food and processing; Anhui Tongcheng yam was suitable for medicine with low yield, high quality; Shandong Weifang yam was suitable for food, with high starch content and high water content.

Key words: yam varieties, growth stage, agronomic trait, tuber quality