Experiments with true yam (Dioscorea alata L.) were conducted at Campinas and Tietê districts, State of São Paulo, in order to study the relative value of the apical, basal and lateral sets of tuber of fair size as compared to whole seed tubers of equal size with the purpose of investigating the possible saving of marketable tubers. Stand percentage and yield were good, beeing practically the same, both for whole seed tubers and their apical and basal sets. Lateral sets gave poor stand and yield. Plants originated from basal sets yielded a lower average for tuber weight. On the other hand these same plants produced a larger number of tubers. This accounts for the lower tuber weight. Finally the use of both apical and basal sets of tubers of fair size may be recommended for yam crop, if little tubers are scarce. This fact results into a greater saving in seeds.