A Detailed Guide to Konjac Planting Methods and Management Techniques

Konjac is a common alkaline food and has been known since ancient times by the laudatory name “intestinal sand remover.” Because it is easy to plant, has low investment costs and a people-friendly market price, it has high planting prospects. It is now cultivated in many regions, so what are the konjac planting methods? Let's take a look below at konjac planting methods and management techniques.

I. Introduction to Konjac

1. What does konjac look like?

Konjac is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Amorphophallus in the family Araceae. The plant height is 40-70 cm. Underground it has a corm similar to that of sweet potato, flattened and spherical, with off-white flesh that can be processed for eating. The leaves are large, light green and cylindrical, and the petioles are thick and long like stems, with a peculiar foul odor. It bears fruit in October.

2. Where does konjac come from?

Konjac has many places of origin and is distributed both domestically and abroad. Internationally, it is mainly distributed in Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Japan and other places. Domestically, it is mainly distributed in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei and other places, with the mountainous areas around the Sichuan Basin being the richest in konjac resources.

II. Introduction to Konjac Planting Methods and Management Techniques:

1. Land selection and preparation:

Konjac likes to grow in a warm climate with loose, fertile soil and good drainage, so when selecting land, try to choose humus-rich sandy loam for planting. After selection, plow the land about 40 cm deep to facilitate later planting.

2. Light:

Konjac likes to grow in a semi-shaded environment, so shading treatment is needed in summer. If there is no shade net, tall-stemmed crops such as corn can be interplanted to promote konjac growth.

3. Sowing:

(1) Seed corm treatment: Before sowing, the seeds should be soaked in agricultural streptomycin soluble powder for about 1 hour, then dried in the sun for 1-2 days. This can effectively kill viruses and reduce the occurrence of diseases.

(2) Sowing time: Late March

(3) Sowing method: Dig a furrow about 5 cm deep, then place the seedlings, cover with soil, and apply an appropriate amount of poultry manure to cover them. When planting, try to select small seedlings for planting. Generally, for white konjac, seed corms of 100-150 g are best, and for colored konjac, seed corms of about 200-250 g are best.

4. Reasonable fertilization:

Konjac does not have high fertilizer requirements. Generally, only a small amount of farmyard manure or compound fertilizer needs to be applied at the seedling emergence stage, at the end of June, and during the tuber expansion stage.

(1) Topdressing at the seedling emergence stage: When the emergence rate reaches about 80%, apply about 5 jin of urea or manure and urine per mu.

(2) From the end of June to early July: Apply about 8 jin of urea or about 20 jin of potassium fertilizer per mu, mixed with a small amount of poultry manure, to promote tuber growth.

(3) Tuber expansion stage: Apply about 30 jin of potassium fertilizer per mu, and from August to September spray 2-3 applications of potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution fertilizer.

5. Field management

(1) Weeding: Konjac has a shallow root system, and after growing for some time various weeds appear, affecting plant growth, so manual weeding should be carried out according to actual conditions to prevent nutrient loss.

(2) Clearing ditches and earthing up: Konjac is neither drought-tolerant nor waterlogging-tolerant, so drainage measures should be well managed during the planting period. Especially during the plum rain season, ditches should be cleared and soil earthed up in time to prevent corm rot. Generally, earthing up 2-3 times during the growth period is best to facilitate corm formation.

(3) Flower removal and topping: After konjac blooms, the flower bud should be cut off to promote the growth of lateral buds and leaves.

III. How Much Is Konjac per Jin on the Market?

The market price of konjac is relatively people-friendly. Generally, fresh konjac costs about 1-2 yuan per jin, but due to differences in origin and market, prices may vary to some extent, so it is recommended to check the local market.

Overall, konjac is not only people-friendly in price but also easy to plant, so during planting, as long as water and fertilizer, light, and field management techniques are well handled, yield can be easily increased.