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Conventional propagation of yam shows low rates of multiplication. Therefore, It has been necessary to use biotechnological methods to ensure the plant material for planting. Production of in vitro plants and microtubers allows obtaining seed with physiological quality and health, but protocols developed have presented limitations for commercial use. Microtubers have many advantages compared to in vitro plants, but these have been obtained in semisolid culture media. Besides, the average fresh mass has been less than 0.5 g which has limited their use. The use of semi-automated culture systems can be a very interest alternative for yams microtubers formation using them as plant material for field planting. This paper presents a review of scientific literature on the above aspects. Key words: Dioscorea spp., vegetable material of plantation, microtuber