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Root Crops for Food, Feed and Income
| By goGreen | June 27, 2012 |  |
WHY ROOT CROPS?
Can grow over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions.- The leaves can also be used as foods/feeds (except for arrowroot).
- Easy to grow, good staple and easy to prepare as food.
- Planting material does not compete as food source (except for ubi/tugui).
- Long-harvest duration. Produce can stay in the ground long without much decline in quality.
- Availability of simple processing technologies provided for increase crop value and decreased risk of crop perishability of production surplus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SITE REQUIREMENTS AND PRODUCTION PRACTICES OF FIVE MAJOR ROOT CROPS
CASSAVA
Manihot esculenta
Kamoteng-kahoy, kalibre, balinghoy
Soil Requirement
- Sandy to clay good internal drainage
Light Requirement
- Full sunlight, yield reduced by shading
Water Requirement
- At least 1000 mm/season with less later in the season
Land Preparation
- Conventional, 1 to 2 plowing and harrowing
Planting Materials
- At least 8 mo old, 20-30 cm long with 5 nodes or more and free from pests
Time for Planting Onset of the rainy season
Planting Method
- Singly, vertically buds up, 113 below the ground on the ridge
Spacing
- 60-100 cm between rows and between hills
- Weed Control
Combination of hand weeding and cultivation during the first two months of growth. Hill-up 2 months after planting.
Harvesting
- Depends on need/situation but optimum time is about 10 most Harvest only the amount that can be used/disposed within 3 days.
Shelf-life
- Can last for one week if basal part of root is not injured
Cropping Systems
- Should be rotated with other crops like legumes/cereals. Can also be intercropped.
Special Features
- Cut the plant about knee high under storm signal #2 and plants more than 1 m in height. Old plants can be rejuvenated by pruning and allowing regrowth. These also serve as live fence for corn and upland rice (tribal practice).
SWEET POTATO
Ipomoea batatas
Kamoteng-baging, kamote
Soil Requirement
- Sandy to clay with good infernal drainage
Light Requirement
- Full sunlight, yield reduced by shading
Water Requirement
- At least 400 mm/season with less later in the season
Land Preparation
- Conventional, 1 to 2 plowing and harrowing
Planting Materials
- Terminal vine cutting 25-35 cm long with at least 5 nodes and free from pests
Time for Planting
- Onset and/or towards end of rainy season
Planting Method
- Singly, vertically, 1/2 buried on ridge during rainy season and in furrow towards dry season
Spacing
- 75-100 cm between rows and 20-30 cm between hills
Weed Control
- Combination of handweeding and cultivation during the first month of growth. Hill-up one month after planting.
Harvesting
- Depends on need/situation but optimum time is about a month. Avoid injuring the roots for longer shelf-life.
Shelf-life
- Can last for two weeks to four months depending on variety
Cropping Systems
- Should be rotated with other crops like legumes/cereals. Not advisable for intercropping, very competitive
Special Features
- Can be pruned of shoot tips (10 cm) during first month of growth for vegetable vine lifting for those with lateral roots can increase yield of main roots
Topics: Agri-Business, Crops & Vegetables, How to, Miscellaneous | No Comments »
