Detailed Explanation of Tiegun Yam Planting Methods and Technical Points

Yam is a very nutritious and healthy food ingredient, with many varieties, among which Tiegun yam is the most common. As its name suggests, Tiegun yam gets its name because its appearance somewhat resembles a slender, rusted iron rod. It has a crisp, firm, and smooth texture, and is very delicious. So how should Tiegun yam be planted? How should it be managed later?

Tiegun Yam Planting Methods

1. Conventional planting techniques

New-crop land is generally deep-plowed and sun-dried before winter (do not disturb the soil layers). For planting Tiegun yam, deep plowing of 80-90cm is required, and for seed-tuber propagation, deep plowing of 40-50cm is required. When preparing the land in spring, apply 500kg of high-quality decomposed farmyard manure, 100kg of decomposed cake fertilizer, and 50kg of high-quality nitrogen, potassium, and NPK compound fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, then prepare the land.

2. Furrow planting technique for yam: First, yield and quality are good, the marketable rate is high, and economic returns are excellent; second, the investment is not large (250-300 yuan per mu) and it saves labor; third, it broadens the choice of soil texture and expands the planting area; fourth, wider row spacing is beneficial for field management. Furrow planting: generally row spacing is 90cm, furrow depth is 80-120cm, and at the same time naturally raised ridges of 30-35cm are formed. Before opening the furrow, first mark out a line, then spread fertilizer along the line, applying 100kg of high-quality dried chicken manure, 50kg of compound fertilizer, and 30kg of potassium sulfate per mu. Nitrate nitrogen fertilizer is strictly prohibited during fertilization.

3. Timely sowing

Planting can be carried out when the 5cm soil temperature stabilizes at 10°C, generally from April 10 to April 20 each year. Planting density for yam is 7000-8000 plants per mu, with plant and row spacing of l0*70cm. After sowing, cover with 3-5cm of soil and press firmly to preserve soil moisture. After planting Tiegun yam, drainage ditches should be dug around the perimeter and connected to outer ditches. This is especially important for furrow planting, to ensure smooth drainage during the rainy season, prevent furrow collapse, and improve yield and marketable rate.

Field Management

1. Trellising Trellising for Tiegun yam is beneficial for ventilation and light penetration, increasing yield, and reducing pest and disease damage. Generally, after emergence, stakes can be inserted and a trellis about 1.5 meters high can be built, one stake per plant, tied firmly in a cross at 1-1.2 meters above the ground.

2. Cultivation and weeding After emergence, weeds should be removed promptly to avoid competing with Tiegun yam for nutrients. Shallow hoeing can be done in the early stage, and later manual pulling is mainly used.

3. Timely watering Water once before planting Tiegun yam to provide bottom moisture. After planting, if soil moisture is insufficient, supplement with a small amount of water to ensure normal emergence of yam; drip irrigation is best if conditions permit. After the yam vines cover the trellis, water together with topdressing. Note that before the Beginning of Autumn, watering should be less and light, to encourage tuber roots to grow downward. After the Beginning of Autumn (mid-August), a heavy watering can be given (also called "blocking-head water"), which is beneficial for Tiegun yam expansion. Furrow planting should use sprinkler irrigation to prevent furrow collapse.

Pest Control

Wireworms, mole crickets, and white grubs drill many holes into the underground tubers of yam, and sometimes also hide inside the tubers to dormancy. Wireworms themselves have a membranous layer, and pesticides do not easily penetrate their bodies for contact killing, so stomach-poison insecticides are better. Comprehensive measures should be taken for prevention, as follows:

1. Deep plowing of the land Deep plow the land 25-30 centimeters deep before winter, turning overwintering adults and larvae to the surface so they freeze to death, dry to death, or are preyed on by natural enemies.

2. Fertilization Fully decomposed organic fertilizer can change the soil's aeration and water permeability, make crops grow robustly, and enhance disease and pest resistance. Crop rotation is also a powerful measure for disease and pest prevention; generally rotating once every 3-4 years is better.

3. Poisoned grain Use 0.15 kg of 90% trichlorfon in a 30-fold solution, mix with blighted grain to make it, and apply 1.5-2.5 kg per 667 square meters. Scatter it on the soil surface, then loosen the surface soil with a hoe, so that some of the pesticide is in the soil and some is on the soil surface.

4. Poison bait Use 0.15 kg of 90% trichlorfon in a 30-fold solution, mix with 5 kg of fried aromatic wheat bran or soybean cake (or cottonseed cake) to make poison bait. Application on a windless, muggy evening gives good results. When mixing, add water equal to 1-1.5 times the weight of the bait material. Or use 100 grams of 40%-50% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate mixed with 5 kg of water and 50 kg of bait material fried until aromatic (wheat bran, soybean cake, crushed corn kernels, etc.). Dig a row about every 2 meters, and dig a bowl-sized hole every 3-4 meters, put in a small handful of poison bait, then cover with soil. Use 1.5-2.0 kg of poison bait per 667 square meters. This method is very good for controlling mole crickets and white grubs.

5. Root irrigation Use 40% isofenphos-methyl emulsifiable concentrate in a 1500-fold solution, irrigating 0.15-0.2 kg of solution per plant. Or use 2% isofenphos-methyl powder, 3-4 kg per 667 cubic meters, scatter on the surface soil near the plants, then use a hoe to mix the soil and powder evenly. This method has a special effect on controlling white grubs and wireworms. Or use 90% trichlorfon in an 800-fold solution, irrigating 0.15-0.2 kg of solution per plant.

Timely Harvest

After the first frost, the aboveground stems and leaves of yam gradually wither and yellow, and the underground tubers enter dormancy. They can be harvested for sale or stored in a vegetable cellar. You can also bank soil on the planting beds to protect against freezing and leave them in the field to harvest as needed.

Although Tiegun yam is now sold everywhere, because of its high nutritional value, very delicious taste, and diverse methods of consumption, it is deeply loved by consumers, and market demand remains very large. Therefore, planting Tiegun yam is also a relatively easy-to-grow and high-benefit planting project!