AGRICULTURAL INOCULANTS CORPORATION

“MICROBES AT WORK”

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CULTURAL PRACTICE FOR TUBERS

( Taro, Yam., Tugue, Yacon, etc.)

A. Area to be Planted

1. The soil must be friable preferably of sandy loam or sandy clay loam type,
easily drained and a pH of 6 to 6.5. If the soil is clayey or heavy use as
much organic matter e.g. composted rice husk, straw or hay, grasses and
weeds and incorporate them into the soil to make the soil’s texture loose and
friable.

2. It must be essentially free of nematodes and other unwanted soil-borne pests.

If pests are present it is advisable to fumigate the soil or treat it with Furadan,
a granular insecticide or an equivalent nematicide. Burning the field, if
allowable, can be another option.

N.B. The application of organic fertilizer will be very advantageous in this

regard since the activator used in the production of the organic fertilizer
contains a number of species of bacteria and fungi that produce probiotics
that will inhibit the growth of harmful organisms.

3. It will also be advantageous if the soil is rich in organic matter, about 5%

within a depth of 35-40 cm of top soil. When the soil has this amount of
organic matter it may not be necessary to add chemical or inorganic fertilizer
as the biological activity of the beneficial microbes will be able to provide
the need for the primary nutrients.

B. Land Preparation and Planting

1. The soil must be plowed deep preferably using a sub-soiler to a depth of at

least 40 cm, if possible. It must be harrowed to a fine tilth and the weeds
must be adequately controlled. Make the furrows at about 60 to 70 cm apart
and at a depth of about 30 cm.

2. For some tubers it may not be necessary to do complete plowing but just dig
holes at prescribed planting distances. The holes must at least be 25-30 cm in
diameter and of the same depth.
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3. Apply organic fertilizer on the furrow at the rate of about 15 to 20 bags (750-
1000 kg) per hectare depending on the organic matter content of the soil as
well as the planting density used. In the case of individual hills apply the
organic fertilizer at prorated amounts depending on the number of hills per
hectare. An average of 250 to 300 grams per hill would normally be
adequate.

4. Plant tuber sets on the furrow or hill as the case maybe at prescribed
distances.

C. Care and Maintenance of the Plants

1. Twenty-five (25) days after planting (DAP) side dress the plants with about 2
to 3 grams of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) per plant. This translates to about
2 to 3 bags of the inorganic fertilizer per hectare. If the organic matter
content of the soil within the 35 to 40 cm of top layer is about 5 % it may not
be necessary to add chemical fertilizer.

2. Start spraying the crop with 0.67% solution ( 1 liter mixed with 160 liters of
water) of foliar fertilizer on the leaves, at 30 DAP and at 15-day intervals up
to 2 weeks before harvest.

3. Side dress the crop at 60 DAP with 2 grams of muriate of potash (0-0-60)
per plant, if the crop has a maturity date of 90 days. Make the necessary
adjustment depending on the maturity period of the crop. The amount of
fertilizer applied translates to about 2 bags. Again, if the soil contains about
5% organic matter the application of this fertilizer may not be necessary.

4. Spray the appropriate crop protection chemicals, if necessary. If applied it is

advisable to mix the chemical with the foliar fertilizer to economize on labor
cost as well as neutralize the phytotoxic effect of the chemical.

N.B. If the soil is completely rehabilitated i.e. it already contains adequate

amount of organic fertilizer and the biological activity of the beneficial
microbes is optimum then the application of any crop protection chemical
may not be necessary since there will be enough natural protection for the
crop.
 AGRICULTURAL INOCULANTS CORPORATION
“MICROBES AT WORK”

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D. Harvesting and Storage

1. Normally, for most tubers, the harvesting period ranges between 90 to 120
DAP depending on the variety.

2. Harvesting can be done manually or with the aid of an animal-drawn plow or

sub-soiler. When using a plow or sub-soiler be careful not to hurt the tubers.

3. If the tubers will be sold right away wash them to remove the soil and replace
in sacks. If they will be stored just brush-off the soil and keep them in a cool,
dry place.

4. If kept longer treat the tubers with the prescribed anti-bactericide/anti-fungal

preparation to eliminate unwanted organisms in order to prolong their shelf-
life.