Synonyms are B. vulgaris. var. rubra., Beta vulgaris L. subsp vulgaris
Common names are Garden Beet, Beetroot (Eng.); Betterave Potaere, Betterave a Salade (Fr.); Remolachia (Sp.); Rote Bete, Rube (Ger.); Kroot, Rode Biet (Neth.); Chakundar (Ind.); Bit (Mal. and Indon.).
Common names are Tan(n)ia, Tannier, Yautia, Elephant's Ear (Eng.); Chou Caraibe (Fr.); Belembe, Calalu, Malanga, Tayobe, Tayonne, Tayo Tyo (W.I.); Mangaretto, Rascadera, Taioba (Braz.); Yautia (Lat. Amer.); Kimpool.(Indon.); Kong Kong Taro (Pap. N. Gum.); Maduma (E. Afr.). In West Africa and other areas, Xanthosoma is commonly referred to as Tocoyam'
Native to tropical Asia, possibly India or China, now widely grown in many tropical regions. Introduced to tropical West Africa comparatively recently.
Now widely cultivated throughout the tropics, mainly in the Caribbean area, including the West Indies, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Dominica; Central and South America, Hawaii; West Africa (particularly southern Nigeria and Cameroun); and tropical Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia and the South Pacific Islands).
A herbaceous perennial, 1.3-2.5 m in height. Stems: the main underground stems are generally referred to as tubers or corms and may be white, pink or yellow. The smaller offshoots produced by the main corm are often termed cormels; 10 or more cormels, 10-25 cm in length, are normally produced. Leaves: large, light green, sagittate or hastatc with a marginal vein and two large basal lobes, prominent marginal vein; petioles up to 3 in in length; pigmentation variable with red-purple forms occurring. Flowers: rarely formed, although flowering is more likely to occur in wet regions.
Moist soil conditions are generally essential but the roots are sensitive to excessive soil water. A high soil organic content is req. uired for optimum growth and sandy loam soils are usually suitable. The root system is fairly tolerant to alkaline soil conditions but sensitive to acidity. A pH of 6.0-6.8 is considered satisfactory, values lower than 5.0 reduce yields significantly. Mulching reduces the rate of water loss. In addition to the provision of an adequate supply of essential minerals in the soil before sowing, young plants usually benefit from additional applications of nitrogen during the period of active growth. Boron deficiency causes the formation of internal black spots in the root tissues and may be corrected by applying 10-30 kg/ha of borax. Beetroot also responds favourably to applications of sodium chloride in the region of 300-500 kg/ha. High temperatures, over 25C, adversely affect growth and roots are likely to show distinct zonal markings as a result of high soil temperatures. Plants grown in moderate rainfall conditions are unlikely to require additional water but irrigation is required during dry periods to maintain a regular rate of root development. An elevation of more than 600 m is normally required for successful root development, plants grown at sea level are unlikely to produce economic yields.
Propagation and planting Propagation is by seed, preferably monogerm or rubbed (divided). Seeds are sown in drills 25-30 cm apart, at a depth of 1-2 cm, seedlings being subsequently thinned to 10 cm apart in the rows. Transplants are rarely successful. The quantity of seed required per hectare varies from 10-20 kg. On a commercial scale, one million plants per hectare are established. Irrigation: This may be required during early stages of growth and during subsequent dry periods. Excessive soil water may produce deformed roots and irregular irrigation may induce cracking of the roots.
Plants normally produce roots from 5-8 cm in diameter within 70-90 days from sowing. The outer surface of the roots is sensitive to damage during harvesting. Yield: Yields of 15-24 t/ha may be obtained with good cultural techniques, including effective weed control. Seed production: Seed is not formed at low altitudes since a period of low temperature is required for the initiation of the flower stalk. At elevations over 1000 m flowering shoots 60-120 cm high may be produced. Seed should only be saved from plants which have first formed a satisfactory swollen root and do not flower until their second year. The plant is cross-pollinated, pollen being windborne over very long distances. It is therefore important that seed production of each B. vulgaris subspecies be sited in a separate area or zone. Seed yield is approximately 500 kg/ha; a single plant may produce up to 10 g of seed.
Commercially grown crops may yield approximately 50 t/ha.
The leaves, in addition to the roots, are often used as a cooked vegetable; the roots are widely used in salads and in the preparation of pickles and chutney.
Common names are Garden Beet, Beetroot (Eng.); Betterave Potaere, Betterave a Salade (Fr.); Remolachia (Sp.); Rote Bete, Rube (Ger.); Kroot, Rode Biet (Neth.); Chakundar (Ind.); Bit (Mal. and Indon.).
Common names are Tan(n)ia, Tannier, Yautia, Elephant's Ear (Eng.); Chou Caraibe (Fr.); Belembe, Calalu, Malanga, Tayobe, Tayonne, Tayo Tyo (W.I.); Mangaretto, Rascadera, Taioba (Braz.); Yautia (Lat. Amer.); Kimpool.(Indon.); Kong Kong Taro (Pap. N. Gum.); Maduma (E. Afr.). In West Africa and other areas, Xanthosoma is commonly referred to as Tocoyam'
Native to tropical Asia, possibly India or China, now widely grown in many tropical regions. Introduced to tropical West Africa comparatively recently.
Now widely cultivated throughout the tropics, mainly in the Caribbean area, including the West Indies, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Dominica; Central and South America, Hawaii; West Africa (particularly southern Nigeria and Cameroun); and tropical Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia and the South Pacific Islands).
A herbaceous perennial, 1.3-2.5 m in height. Stems: the main underground stems are generally referred to as tubers or corms and may be white, pink or yellow. The smaller offshoots produced by the main corm are often termed cormels; 10 or more cormels, 10-25 cm in length, are normally produced. Leaves: large, light green, sagittate or hastatc with a marginal vein and two large basal lobes, prominent marginal vein; petioles up to 3 in in length; pigmentation variable with red-purple forms occurring. Flowers: rarely formed, although flowering is more likely to occur in wet regions.
Moist soil conditions are generally essential but the roots are sensitive to excessive soil water. A high soil organic content is req. uired for optimum growth and sandy loam soils are usually suitable. The root system is fairly tolerant to alkaline soil conditions but sensitive to acidity. A pH of 6.0-6.8 is considered satisfactory, values lower than 5.0 reduce yields significantly. Mulching reduces the rate of water loss. In addition to the provision of an adequate supply of essential minerals in the soil before sowing, young plants usually benefit from additional applications of nitrogen during the period of active growth. Boron deficiency causes the formation of internal black spots in the root tissues and may be corrected by applying 10-30 kg/ha of borax. Beetroot also responds favourably to applications of sodium chloride in the region of 300-500 kg/ha. High temperatures, over 25C, adversely affect growth and roots are likely to show distinct zonal markings as a result of high soil temperatures. Plants grown in moderate rainfall conditions are unlikely to require additional water but irrigation is required during dry periods to maintain a regular rate of root development. An elevation of more than 600 m is normally required for successful root development, plants grown at sea level are unlikely to produce economic yields.
Propagation and planting Propagation is by seed, preferably monogerm or rubbed (divided). Seeds are sown in drills 25-30 cm apart, at a depth of 1-2 cm, seedlings being subsequently thinned to 10 cm apart in the rows. Transplants are rarely successful. The quantity of seed required per hectare varies from 10-20 kg. On a commercial scale, one million plants per hectare are established. Irrigation: This may be required during early stages of growth and during subsequent dry periods. Excessive soil water may produce deformed roots and irregular irrigation may induce cracking of the roots.
Plants normally produce roots from 5-8 cm in diameter within 70-90 days from sowing. The outer surface of the roots is sensitive to damage during harvesting. Yield: Yields of 15-24 t/ha may be obtained with good cultural techniques, including effective weed control. Seed production: Seed is not formed at low altitudes since a period of low temperature is required for the initiation of the flower stalk. At elevations over 1000 m flowering shoots 60-120 cm high may be produced. Seed should only be saved from plants which have first formed a satisfactory swollen root and do not flower until their second year. The plant is cross-pollinated, pollen being windborne over very long distances. It is therefore important that seed production of each B. vulgaris subspecies be sited in a separate area or zone. Seed yield is approximately 500 kg/ha; a single plant may produce up to 10 g of seed.
Commercially grown crops may yield approximately 50 t/ha.
The leaves, in addition to the roots, are often used as a cooked vegetable; the roots are widely used in salads and in the preparation of pickles and chutney.
About the Author:
A vegetable garden is easy to care for if you have the tools and tips on vegetable gardening.
0 comments:
Post a Comment