| BRIEF DESCRIPTION A low, compact plant reaching 1 m in height. The stems are smooth and fleshy, salmon-pink in colour when they are below ground, cylindrical, up to 50 cm long and 5 cm in diameter and divided by nodes, from which roots and 3-8 cm long leaves appear. USES The upper part of the root, the lower part of the stem stem and leaves are used for human consumption as well as animal feed and has a high protein content. The roots and stems can be boiled or used in soups or stews and can be prepared in the same way as sweet potato. The cooking water can be served as a soft drink. The leaves are used in salads and chili sauces. The whole plant is used as feed for pigs, cavies, sheep and cattle. GROWING PERIOD Perennial but usually cultivated as an annual. The production cycle generally lasts about 7-9 months but may be longer. COMMON NAMES Mauka, Chago, Arricon, Yuca inca, Cushipe, Chaco, Miso, Taso, Pega pega, Miso, Tazo, Shallca yuca, Yuca de la Jalca, Cushpe, Arracacha de toro, Camotillo. FURTHER INF Mauka occurs in western South America from Venezuela to Chile. In Peru it is cultivated at elevations between 2300-3500 m. It survives where constant winds and near-constant chill place heavy physical strain and moisture stress on plants. The yield of root and stem may be 12-52 t/ha. High yields are obtained by leaving it in the ground for up to two years. Yield of green fodder may after 6.5 months be about 7 kg per plant. (pH estimated by the compiler). |
Bermejo J 1994 pp 172-176 [USE, TEMP, DEP, FER, RAIN]
Vietmeyer N 1989 pp 16 & 75-81 [USE, RAIN, KTMP, TEXT, DRA] |
