Detailed Explanation of Field Management Techniques for Yacon
Yacon, also called jicama, is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is generally eaten by us as a vegetable, but it can also be eaten raw, and is a kind of "underground fruit". Yacon contains a lot of water and sugar and tastes very good. Although yacon has a high sugar content, the sugar it contains is inulin, which is very difficult to digest, so yacon is very low in calories. More and more growers are cultivating it, so how should we carry out field management well when growing yacon? Let's take a look below!
1. Seedling stage management
After sowing and emergence, yacon enters the seedling recovery stage, which generally does not last long, about 9-11 days. After yacon is planted, it should be observed regularly to see whether there are dead or missing seedlings. If there are, they should be replanted in time to ensure a full stand of seedlings in the field. After planting, a seedling recovery watering should also be given in time, then loosen the soil once every half a month to increase the soil temperature, pull out the weeds in the field, and promote the growth of the seedlings. Keep the soil in a semi-moist state, and the soil temperature must not be lower than 15 degrees. Let the seedlings grow in the most suitable environment.
2. Mid-stage management
After yacon is transplanted, drainage and irrigation work should be done well to ensure the survival rate of the seedlings. If the rainy season is encountered during the growing process, drainage work in the field should be done well, and drainage ditches should be dug in time to prevent excessive water accumulation in the field and the occurrence of waterlogging damage. Do a good job of weeding in the field, and when weeding, soil can be properly banked up to form ridges. Try to avoid applying pesticides. For weaker-growing seedlings, farmyard manure can be applied. After entering summer, remove excessive vegetative branches, branches, and overly dense branches to control the growth rate of the branches and prevent them from affecting the growth of the plant.
3. Growth period management
When yacon has been planted for about one month, the temperature will gradually rise. At this time, the plant grows relatively fast, and its demand for fertilizer and water gradually increases. Therefore, during the growth period of yacon, we should strengthen fertilizer and water management, and topdress and water in time according to the growth rate of yacon, the soil conditions, and various other factors. Loosen the soil regularly to improve the soil's moisture conservation capacity. If drought occurs, do not irrigate the soil with a large amount of water; it needs to be done step by step, which can effectively increase the fruit swelling speed and increase the sugar content of the fruit.
4. Late-stage management
In the late growth stage, yacon gradually matures, and its growth rate gradually declines. At this time, the plant's growth focus will shift from above to below. However, we still need to protect the growth of stems and leaves, promote fruit swelling, and continue to maintain the soil moisture content. Do not irrigate with a large amount of water; drip irrigation can be used to ensure the plant's water demand. However, watering should be stopped 3 weeks before harvest. During the maturity period, even more attention should be paid to water accumulation, and drainage should be done in time to prevent the fruit from rotting. Properly apply foliar fertilizer to prevent premature aging and promote leaf photosynthesis.
The above is a brief introduction to the field management of yacon. Yacon has relatively high economic value, and with the expansion of market demand, it still shows an upward trend. However, growing it also carries risks. First, you must master relatively mature cultivation techniques, be familiar with various pests and diseases, and be able to respond to various emergencies, so that you can succeed in growing it and increase yield. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it is helpful to everyone.