Yam or ubi is known throughoutthe world. It is a vine and so its needs support to climbon. Its fruits are violet or light purple. The temperatureit likes is 25'C - 30'C , and grows well if watered throughoutits life. The soil it likes best is loose and with good drainage.

It is good to plant yam betweenApril and May when the sun is abundant. When the day is long,it has plenty of leaves and branches. When the day is short,the development of the fruits is good. The variety "kinampay"is of superior quality because of its aroma, taste and violetcolor. This is powdered and used in the manufacture of icecream.

PREPARATION OF THELAND FOR PLANTING

1. As in other crops, plow and harrow two times to make the soil loose. Remove all weeds and growths.

2.  When the field is clean make small hills about 10-cm high 1 meter apart from each other where ubi will be planted.

PREPARATION OF MATERIALSFOR PLANTING

1. A few days before planting, cut up the ubi about 150-200 gms size (125 gms if kinampay is to be planted).

2.  Apply ash on the white part to keep from infection, or soak in Benlate solution about 20-30 minutes.

PLANTING

1. Plant the ubi pieces when growth starts to come out.

2.  *Plant these in the prepared hills about 75 cm apart.

SUPPORT

1. Ubi needs supports for climbing. Thrust branches of wood or bamboo about 2-1/4 m high, and tie together the ends of every two adjacent poles.

2.  Always remove weeds around the plants.

FERTILIZER

Ubi likesnitrogen and potassium. * Apply fertilizer one month aftergermination. Apply complete fertilizer or 14-14--14 NPK 2months after planting 4 sacks per hectare.

HARVESTING

1. (About 8 months in planting) plow the ubi one or two months after it is matured - when the leaves turn yellow.

2.  Dig up around the root crop, lift up the whole ubi and cut the vine..

STORING

1. Apply ashes on the ubi crop where it was bruised to keep it from rotting.

2.  Store this in a shady and sandy place free being wet.

3.  Don't stack up one on top of the other.

OTHER WAYS OF STORING:UNDER THE GROUND

1.  Dig a deep hole, place here the ubi and cover with the soil.

2.  Provide shade over the place by putting coconut leaves. Always inspect because in this way, it not adequately aired.

*Greenfield March 1991

from: Extension CommunicationDivision

Visayas State Collegeof Agri, Leyte

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