Detailed Explanation of Key Technical Points and Management Methods for White Yam Cultivation

Currently, with the accelerating pace of economic development, people's pursuit of a higher quality of life is also increasing, and they are beginning to turn their attention to fields such as specialty agriculture, ecological agriculture, and leisure agriculture. Therefore, terms such as specialty agriculture, ecological agriculture, and leisure agriculture have been constantly emerging. Below, the editor will introduce white yam cultivation techniques.

(1) Select disease-free, freeze-damage-free, non-mutated small white-mouth seed tubers;

(2) After the Awakening of Insects solar term, cut the seed potatoes into pieces, disinfect, sterilize, and sun-dry to promote sprouting;

(3) On the plowed land, apply 150 jin per mu of diammonium, 100 jin per mu of potassium sulfate fertilizer, and 3 to 4 cubic meters per mu of decomposed organic fertilizer.

(4) Select smooth tubers free of disease spots and rot, cut them into 6-10 cm lengths, and each tuber should carry a terminal bud. The selected seed potatoes need to be disinfected, air-dried in a ventilated place, and planted after the wounds have healed.

(5) From late March to early April, arrange the seeds in a greenhouse for seedling raising. In North China, seedlings for transplanting are generally planted in mid-to-late April. For direct planting, as long as the surface soil is not frozen, the earlier the planting, the better. Before planting, it is essential to ensure sufficient soil moisture at the bottom layer. After planting, do not water again, so as to promote the downward growth of the yam seedling roots.

(6) Topdressing is required 2-3 times throughout the whole growth period. When the seedlings reach about 10 cm in height, carry out the first topdressing together with intertillage and weeding, generally applying 20 kg of urea per mu. From August to mid-September is the critical period for tuber growth and expansion. Generally, 10 kg of potassium fertilizer per mu is broadcast at the cracks near the roots, followed by one flooding irrigation. At the same time, on sunny afternoons, spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the leaves once every 10 days, for a total of 3 sprays.