What are the key points to note when growing yam? Keep these in mind
Yam is sweet in taste and neutral in nature, with the effects of strengthening the spleen and tonifying the lungs, benefiting the stomach and tonifying the kidneys, securing the kidneys and boosting essence, and extending life. It is one of the medicinal food ingredients commonly used in our daily life. It is grown over a very wide area in our country, but there are many key points to note when growing it. Let's take a look below.
1. Soil
Yam is a deep-rooted plant, and its underground rhizome can reach more than 1 m in length, so choose an area with a low groundwater table for planting, so as not to affect rhizome growth. The soil requirements of the planting site are also extremely strict; it is suitable to choose loose sandy loam with convenient drainage and irrigation. The looseness of the soil is extremely important for the elongation and enlargement of the yam rhizome. Sandy soil is loose, has good air permeability, and warms up quickly, which is beneficial to the early sprouting of yam and the later elongation of the tubers. If planted in relatively hard soil, tuber elongation is hindered, which easily causes deformed tuber growth and seriously affects yam yield and quality.
2. Seedling treatment
When planting, there are three methods of preparing seedlings. The first is to use the yam head, taking the section of the tuber with buds, 20-40 cm in length, as seed; the second is to cut the yam into small sections of 8-10 cm as seed; the third is to use yam bulbils. Among these three, using bulbils for raising seedlings is best, followed by the yam head, but the yam head is suitable for growing for 1-2 years as seed, and those over 3 years are not suitable. Using yam tubers as seedlings is a relatively advanced cultivation method. It can not only solve the problem of insufficient yam tubers and ensure stable yield, but also prevent variety degeneration. Before planting, the seedlings must be disinfected and sterilized, and after cutting into sections, a layer of plant ash and lime should be stuck to both ends to reduce the possibility of pathogen invasion.
3. Fertilizer and water management
Yam has a relatively large fertilizer requirement. A typical yield of 2000-2500 kg per mu consumes 11 kg of nitrogen fertilizer, 8 kg of phosphate fertilizer, and 9 kg of potassium fertilizer. Therefore, in addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer before planting, chemical fertilizers should also be used during growth, and a compound fertilizer mainly based on phosphate and potassium fertilizers with an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer can be chosen. Yam prefers sunny weather and relatively low air humidity. Generally, only 5-7 waterings are needed throughout the whole growth period. When bottom moisture is sufficiently supplied, it should not be watered much during the seedling stage. Generally, water once when the seedlings emerge uniformly to promote emergence and root development. Subsequent watering depends on the watering situation; water once when drought occurs, and take good drainage measures during the rainy season to avoid disease or dead seedlings.
4. Intertillage and weeding
If yam encounters cloudy and rainy weather during the seedling stage, the soil is very prone to compaction, which affects the emergence of young buds and, in severe cases, causes failure of emergence, so loosen the soil and break up compaction in time. After each watering or rainfall, also carry out intertillage and soil loosening in time to maintain good soil permeability and speed up tuber enlargement. In addition, weeds should also be removed in time during planting. Before emergence, acetochlor can be used for soil-closing weed control, so as to prevent weeds from taking away nutrients and water.
The above is an introduction to the key points to note when growing yam. I hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.