High-yield and high-quality yacon growing methods: 4 key points to teach you

Every year in November, yacon ripens and hits the market. It is loved by consumers for its sweet and crisp taste, and its planting area in our country is also relatively wide. Below, 4 points will teach you how to grow high-yield, high-quality yacon!

1. Basic information about yacon

1. The origin of yacon

What we commonly call yacon is actually another name for yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), and it is also called snow lotus potato, ten-thousand-root yam, and so on. It is a perennial herb native to the Andes Mountains of South America and can be eaten as a root vegetable. It is currently grown in Peru, Argentina, Yunnan in China, Taiwan, China, and other places, and has now also been successfully introduced and cultivated in Fujian, Hainan, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Shandong, Sichuan, Henan, and Hebei.

2. The value of yacon

Yacon is rich in carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fiber, and other substances. It has effects such as nourishing and enriching the blood, tonifying and replenishing qi, improving immunity, enhancing memory, nourishing yin, treating constipation, detoxifying, stimulating appetite and aiding digestion, clearing heat, fading spots, and anti-aging. After peeling, yacon can be eaten fresh, stewed in soup, or made into sweet cakes.

3. Dietary taboos of yacon

Yacon should not be eaten together with high-protein foods such as milk and eggs, as this is not conducive to the digestion and absorption of protein; friends who are allergic to yacon should also not eat yacon, otherwise it may cause diarrhea, metabolic acidosis, increased heart rate but decreased blood pressure, and in severe cases dehydration, hypoproteinemia, impaired consciousness, and even shock; people with a cold constitution and poor gastrointestinal health should eat it with caution.

2. How is yacon grown?

1. Planting time for yacon

The best planting time for yacon is in spring. Of course, planting times differ by region, and generally the earlier it is planted, the better. If open-field cultivation is used, it is generally around mid-April; if greenhouse cultivation is used, it can begin in late March.

2. Planting methods for yacon

(1) The yacon planting site is best a sandy loam field with convenient irrigation and drainage. Apply 2000-3000 kg of farmyard manure per mu, spread it evenly, and then deep plow. To prevent underground pests, an appropriate amount of quicklime can also be applied in the pits for prevention.

(2) Transplant at a density of 1100 plants per mu. When the seedlings grow to about 20 cm, water, weed, and earth up. Appropriately increase watering on days with little rain, and drain promptly when there is a lot of rain.

(3) When yacon enters its peak growth period, prune branches that are too dense and excessively vigorous; generally speaking, yacon does not need chemical fertilizers or pesticides during its growth period, but for seedlings that grow too weakly, some manure water and biogas fertilizer can be applied appropriately.

(4) When the small yellow flowers wither around October, harvesting can begin. After harvesting, it can be stored indoors or in a cellar, and the stems and leaves can be used as feed.

The planting and management techniques for yacon are not difficult. As long as you master the above points, basically a yield of 5000-6000 kg/mu will not be lacking, and the income per mu is mostly above 3000 yuan. Friends who want to take on a planting project may want to consider yacon cultivation.