Cultivation Methods and Later-Stage Management Techniques for Iron Stick Yam

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

I. Cultivation Methods for Iron Stick Yam

1. Conventional cultivation techniques

Newly used land is generally deep-plowed and sun-dried before winter (do not disturb the soil layers). For planting iron stick yam, deep plowing of 80-90cm is required, and for seed 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. Trenching cultivation techniques

Trenching cultivation of yam: First, the yield, quality, marketable rate, and benefits are good; 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 cultivation area; fourth, wider row spacing is conducive to field management. Trenching cultivation: generally row spacing is 90cm, trench depth is 80-120cm, and at the same time naturally raised ridges of 30-35cm are formed. Before trenching, first mark a line, then spread fertilizer along the line, applying 100kg of high-quality dry chicken manure, 50kg of compound fertilizer, and 30kg of potassium sulfate per mu. The use of nitrate nitrogen fertilizer is strictly prohibited during fertilization.

3. Sowing at the proper time

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 is 7000-8000 plants per mu for yam, with plant-row spacing of l0*70cm. After sowing, cover with 3-5cm of soil and firm it to preserve soil moisture. After planting iron stick yam, drainage ditches should be dug around the perimeter and connected to outer ditches, especially important for trenching cultivation, to ensure smooth drainage during the rainy season, prevent trench collapse, and improve yield and marketable rate.

II. Field Management

1. Trellising

Trellising iron stick yam helps with ventilation and light penetration, increases yield, and reduces pest and disease damage. Generally, after seedlings emerge, stakes can be inserted and trellises built about 1.5 meters high, one per plant, tied firmly in a cross pattern at 1-1.2 meters above the ground.

2. Cultivation and weeding

After seedlings emerge, weeds should be removed promptly to avoid competing with iron stick yam for nutrients. Shallow hoeing can be done in the early stage, and manual pulling should be the main method in the later stage.

3. Watering at the proper time

Before planting iron stick yam, water once to establish bottom moisture. After planting, if soil moisture is insufficient, a small supplemental watering can be given to ensure normal seedling emergence; sprinkler irrigation is best if conditions permit. After the yam vines cover the trellis, watering should be combined with topdressing. Note that before the Beginning of Autumn, watering should be less and light to encourage root tubers to grow downward. After the Beginning of Autumn (mid-August), a heavy irrigation (also called "blocking-head water") can be applied, which is beneficial for the expansion of iron stick yam. Trenching cultivation should use sprinkler irrigation to prevent trench collapse.

III. Pest Control

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

1. Deep plowing of the land: Deep plow the land 25-30cm before winter, turning overwintering adults and larvae to the surface so they freeze to death, die from sun exposure, or are preyed upon by natural enemies.

2. Fertilization: Fully decomposed organic fertilizer can change the aeration and water permeability of the soil, making crops grow robustly and enhancing 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 dilution, 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 surface.

4. Poisoned bait: Use 0.15 kg of 90% trichlorfon in a 30-fold dilution, mix with 5 kg of roasted fragrant wheat bran or soybean cake (or cottonseed cake) to make poisoned bait. Apply on a windless, stuffy evening for good results. When mixing, add water at 1-1.5 times the weight of the bait material. Alternatively, use 100 grams of 40%-50% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate mixed with 5 kg of water and 50 kg of bait material roasted until fragrant (wheat bran, soybean cake, crushed corn kernels, etc.). Dig a row every 2 meters or so, and dig a bowl-sized pit every 3-4 meters, place a pinch of poisoned bait, then cover with soil. Use 1.5-2.0 kg of poisoned bait per 667 square meters. This method is very effective for controlling mole crickets and white grubs.

5. Root irrigation: Use 40% isofenphos-methyl emulsifiable concentrate in a 1500-fold dilution, 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 mix the soil and powder evenly with a hoe. This method has special effects for controlling white grubs and wireworms. Or use 90% trichlorfon in an 800-fold dilution, irrigating 0.15-0.2 kg of solution per plant.

IV. Harvesting at the Proper Time

After yam experiences the first frost, the aboveground stems and leaves gradually wither and yellow, and the underground tubers enter a dormant state. They can be harvested for sale or stored in a vegetable cellar. Alternatively, soil can be mounded on the planting beds to prevent freezing, leaving them in the field to harvest as needed.

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