2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Yam (lat. Dioskorea villosa) - a vegetable crop belonging to the Dioskorein family and representing a tuberous perennial plant with climbing shoots and edible roots.
Description
Yams are distinguished by a widely branched fibrous root system. Its ribbed thin stems can be both curly and lodging. Sometimes they reach a length of three meters. Petiolate simple leaves near the base of the stems are always opposite, and a little higher - alternate. Rounded leaf blades are endowed with heart-shaped bases and pointed apices and reach a diameter of five to six centimeters. The length of the leaf petioles is about twelve centimeters. Sometimes sharp spines can be seen near their bases.
Flowers in yams are formed extremely rarely - this plant does not reproduce in a generative way.
On the underground parts of the yam stalks, as well as in the area of the root necks, the formation of numerous stolons (lateral shoots) occurs. Each plant usually has from four to twenty stolons, ranging in length from five centimeters to half a meter. By the way, their length is an important varietal characteristic of this culture: according to this indicator, it is customary to distinguish loose (spreading), medium-dense and compact varieties. And the yam tubers are formed just at the thickening tips of the stolons.
The length of yam tubers can reach two and a half meters, and their weight sometimes reaches seventy kilograms. On average, the weight of tubers varies from fifty to three hundred grams to ten to fifteen kilograms. The smallest tubers are usually left for later propagation. As for their shape, it can be fusiform, elongated-oval or round. The surface of the tubers is in most cases smooth, however, sometimes rather rough specimens are also found. The thin skin is purple, pinkish, or white in color, and the flesh is usually yellowish or white.
Nutritional value
Yams are quite nutritious - their raw calorie content is 118 kcal. It contains practically no fat and is very rich in carbohydrates - this feature makes it possible to eat yams even for those who follow the figure.
Usage
Yam tubers are eaten, however, they are not used fresh. Unlike other tropical root-and-tuber crops, they can be stored for a long time even at high temperatures.
Sometimes the yam tubers are cut into small pieces, after which they are dried and ground into flour, which is subsequently used to make delicious sauce additives and hearty tortillas.
Also, this culture is cultivated due to its high starch content - especially solid plantations can be found in the subtropics or in the tropics - in Oceania, Latin America, Asia and Africa.
With regard to the nutritional value of yam tubers, in this respect they are quite comparable to cassava tubers, but the former contain much more protein.
Growing
In early ripening varieties of yam, the duration of the growing season is from five to six months, and in late ripening varieties - from ten to twelve months. Soils for planting this crop are best chosen neutral, well aerated and enriched with various nutrients. In addition, throughout the entire growth period, yams must be provided with sufficient moisture. And the best temperature for its development is twenty-four to twenty-eight degrees.
The most suitable areas for growing yams are sunny and warm enough. This culture will grow especially well near trellises, nets, fences and any other supports.
