Synonyms are B. vulgaris. var. rubra., Beta vulgaris L. subsp vulgaris
Five other species of Xanthosoma have been in cultivation in various parts of the tropics for a considerable time: X. atrovirens Koch & Bouche (Dark leaf Malange, Indian Kale), a yellow-fleshed form; X. hrasiliense Engl. (Belembe, Calalu); X. caracu Koch & Bouche (Caracu), a white-fleshed species; X. malaffa Schott; Xi nignim (Veil.) Mansf.; X. violaceunz Schott, leaves violet-coloured with pink-fleshed corms.
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'
Indigenous to southern Europe and Asia, probably derived from B. vulgaris subsp. maritima L. Thell. (Wild Sea Beet), now fairly widely distributed in the tropics.
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 short-lived perennial with a twining habit. Stems: fleshy, glabrous, green or red, up to 6 m in length. Leaves: alternate, ovate-triangular, petiolate, fleshy, entire, normally cordate, slightly decurrent, 5-15 cm X 2.5-13 cm. Flowers: petals 4, small, pink or white, sessile, on short spikes, produced in the axils cf the leaves. Fruits: round, succulent, enclosed within the perianth, 6-8 mm in diameter. Seeds: approximately 30 seeds/g. The form often referred to as B. rubra has red or purple stems, purple-green leaves and pale pink flowers.
Most cultivars are tolerant to a wide range of soil conditions and grow well in moist fertile soils well supplied with organic material and essential elements. Supplementary applications of nitrogen are often advantageous during the early period of growth. Well adapted to high temperature conditions, low temperatures are liable to reduce the growth rate and lead to the production of relatively small leaves. Plants are normally tolerant to high levels of rainfall but some cultivars have a degree of drought resistance. Irrigation is required during dry periods to maintain a high rate of leaf production. Water stress is likely to encourage early flowering. Growth is likely to be limited at altitudes greater than SOO m, due to diurnal temperature variations. Normally a short-day plant, Basella responds to light shading by the production of larger leaves than develop under full exposure to sun. Flowering does not occur in day lengths longer than 13 hours. Basella is one of the tropical crops which has a C4 -cycle photosynthetic pathway.
Propagation is normally by means of small corms, as for Colocasia, although the tops of young plants are often removed and inserted as cuttings. Rooted cuttings or corms are planted on low ridges 75-90 cm apart, 90 cm between plants; the more vigorous forms may require a wider spacing. Approximately 2.5-5.0 t/ha of corms are required for planting. Earthing up is considered advantageous during the early part of the growing period, possibly followed by mulching during hot weather.
After a period of growth varying from 240-420 days, large corms are produced from the original seed corms or cuttings, to which smaller cormels 10-25 cm in length are attached. These should be harvested before they begin to produce new shoots. Successional harvesting of mature cormels may be continued for up to 500 days or more, leaving the main corm in situ. Yields of 12-20 t/ha of corms are often obtained. Seed production: Flowering rarely occurs under normal cultural conditions and the small corms produced from the sides of the main corm are used for propagation.
Roots should be firm, deep red in colour and free from cracks, fibrous roots or corky patches; the tops, where left intact, should be turgid and free from pests or diseases. For the fresh market, the roots are sold with or without leaves; when leaves are attached, the roots can be conveniently tied in bunches. Surplus soil is removed by washing and some form of grading may be carried out, based on size and color. Bunched beetroot may be stored at 0C and a relative humidity of 90% for up to 10 days, whereas topped roots may be stored at 0-1C for 55-90 days at a relative humidity of 90-95%.
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.
Five other species of Xanthosoma have been in cultivation in various parts of the tropics for a considerable time: X. atrovirens Koch & Bouche (Dark leaf Malange, Indian Kale), a yellow-fleshed form; X. hrasiliense Engl. (Belembe, Calalu); X. caracu Koch & Bouche (Caracu), a white-fleshed species; X. malaffa Schott; Xi nignim (Veil.) Mansf.; X. violaceunz Schott, leaves violet-coloured with pink-fleshed corms.
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'
Indigenous to southern Europe and Asia, probably derived from B. vulgaris subsp. maritima L. Thell. (Wild Sea Beet), now fairly widely distributed in the tropics.
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 short-lived perennial with a twining habit. Stems: fleshy, glabrous, green or red, up to 6 m in length. Leaves: alternate, ovate-triangular, petiolate, fleshy, entire, normally cordate, slightly decurrent, 5-15 cm X 2.5-13 cm. Flowers: petals 4, small, pink or white, sessile, on short spikes, produced in the axils cf the leaves. Fruits: round, succulent, enclosed within the perianth, 6-8 mm in diameter. Seeds: approximately 30 seeds/g. The form often referred to as B. rubra has red or purple stems, purple-green leaves and pale pink flowers.
Most cultivars are tolerant to a wide range of soil conditions and grow well in moist fertile soils well supplied with organic material and essential elements. Supplementary applications of nitrogen are often advantageous during the early period of growth. Well adapted to high temperature conditions, low temperatures are liable to reduce the growth rate and lead to the production of relatively small leaves. Plants are normally tolerant to high levels of rainfall but some cultivars have a degree of drought resistance. Irrigation is required during dry periods to maintain a high rate of leaf production. Water stress is likely to encourage early flowering. Growth is likely to be limited at altitudes greater than SOO m, due to diurnal temperature variations. Normally a short-day plant, Basella responds to light shading by the production of larger leaves than develop under full exposure to sun. Flowering does not occur in day lengths longer than 13 hours. Basella is one of the tropical crops which has a C4 -cycle photosynthetic pathway.
Propagation is normally by means of small corms, as for Colocasia, although the tops of young plants are often removed and inserted as cuttings. Rooted cuttings or corms are planted on low ridges 75-90 cm apart, 90 cm between plants; the more vigorous forms may require a wider spacing. Approximately 2.5-5.0 t/ha of corms are required for planting. Earthing up is considered advantageous during the early part of the growing period, possibly followed by mulching during hot weather.
After a period of growth varying from 240-420 days, large corms are produced from the original seed corms or cuttings, to which smaller cormels 10-25 cm in length are attached. These should be harvested before they begin to produce new shoots. Successional harvesting of mature cormels may be continued for up to 500 days or more, leaving the main corm in situ. Yields of 12-20 t/ha of corms are often obtained. Seed production: Flowering rarely occurs under normal cultural conditions and the small corms produced from the sides of the main corm are used for propagation.
Roots should be firm, deep red in colour and free from cracks, fibrous roots or corky patches; the tops, where left intact, should be turgid and free from pests or diseases. For the fresh market, the roots are sold with or without leaves; when leaves are attached, the roots can be conveniently tied in bunches. Surplus soil is removed by washing and some form of grading may be carried out, based on size and color. Bunched beetroot may be stored at 0C and a relative humidity of 90% for up to 10 days, whereas topped roots may be stored at 0-1C for 55-90 days at a relative humidity of 90-95%.
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.
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