A Detailed Guide to Growing Yacon (Also Known as Jicama Root)
Yacon is another name for the tuberous root of the yacon plant (Smallanthus sonchifolius), native to South America. It can be eaten both as a vegetable and as a fruit, with a sweet, crisp taste. So, what growing methods are there for yacon? Let's take a look together!
1. Soil preparation and ridging
Yacon prefers sunlight and a moist soil environment, and it grows best in well-drained sandy soil. The planting site should be a plot with good ventilation and sufficient sunlight. Before planting, apply plenty of base fertilizer to the soil, applying 2000-3000kg of farmyard manure per mu. After spreading it evenly, plow the soil deeply and use sunlight to disinfect and sterilize it. Before planting, open furrows and ridge the land. Yacon is mostly planted by the hole-sowing method, digging holes in the ridges with a plant-to-row spacing of 100x60cm. In the holes, you can apply plant ash or living stone flowers to prevent pests and diseases.
2. Raising seedlings and transplanting
The seeds of yacon are those small seed balls on the fruit. Generally, planting is best from late March to early April. Cut the seed balls, keeping 3-4 small sprouts, and then sow them directly into the soil. However, to ensure the survival rate of the seed balls, most people choose to raise seedlings in nutrient pots or nutrient bags in a greenhouse. As for the transplanting time, it can also be done in summer, just like the growing method for sweet potatoes. Cut off the branches and the side shoots sprouting underground, and then carry out cutting propagation and transplanting. This is also a propagation method.
3. Field management
After transplanting, when the seedlings grow to 15-25cm, water them in time, and combine weeding with hilling soil around the young plants. If the base fertilizer was not applied sufficiently before planting, then an appropriate amount of fertilizer also needs to be applied to supplement fertility. It is best not to use chemical fertilizers or pesticides, as these cause great harm to the seeds. Watering should be based on changes in the climate and soil conditions. Irrigate in time during drought, and drain promptly after rain to avoid damage to the rhizomes, which can cause root rot and other problems affecting plant development. When the plant is about 1 meter tall, tiller branches will grow from its base. If they grow too vigorously and cause the field to become shaded and dense, in order not to affect the growth of other plants, the tiller branches can be broken off, which can increase light penetration and ventilation. We can also use these tiller branches for expanded propagation by re-planting them as cuttings, and at the autumn harvest a large number of seed balls can be obtained.
4. Pest and disease control
The common diseases of yacon are black spot disease, root rot, stem nematode disease, and so on. These diseases have a major impact on yacon's leaves, rhizomes, and fruit, affecting not only yield but also quality. For black spot disease, mainly agricultural measures are taken, implementing crop rotation. When planting, dip the bottom 6-10cm of the roots in a 500-700 times dilution of thiophanate-methyl wettable powder or a 500 times dilution of potassium permanganate and soak for half an hour. Choosing disease-resistant varieties for cultivation can effectively prevent root rot. For stem nematode disease, the source of the pests must be eliminated. Before planting, soak the yacon sprouts and seedlings in 50% potassium permanganate for 10 minutes.
The above is the editor's introduction to yacon growing methods. I hope it can help you!