Lost Crops of the Incas Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation (1989) / Chapter Skim
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Achira
Achira
Pages 26-37
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From page 27... ...
Easy to plant and easy to grow, it develops huge, edible underground rhizomes2 sometimes as long as a person's forearm. Although little studied by modern scientists, these starch-filled rhizomes are produced throughout a vast region that extends from Mexico and the West Indies to Venezuela, through the Andes and the Amazon basin to Argentina, and along the Pacific coast to northern Chile.
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From page 28... ...
In addition, the triploid forms (see laterJ may produce abundantly in now little-exploited locations. If the unique starch proves to have widespread commercial utility, an export trade could result, to the benefit of the Andean region.
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From page 29... ...
It seems unlikely that achira will become a major crop of economically advanced countries. However, research may uncover agricultural niches for this robust species, as well as markets for its unusual starch.
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From page 30... ...
, the previous record holder. Along with its exceptional granule size, achira starch is unusually translucent.
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From page 31... ...
The leaves and shoots are quite nutritious, containing at least 10 percent protein.~° AGRONOMY One of the most robust of all root crops, edible canna grows well in a wide variety of climates, thrives in many soils unsuited to other tubers, and has few problems with diseases or pests. 7 Yacon and quinoa are described later; guinea pig is dealt with in the companion volume Microlivestock: L
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From page 32... ...
The swelling rhizomes tend to emerge above the soil surface, so farmers often earth them up, as they do with potatoes. An initial weeding is usually necessary, but the spreading foliage quickly suppresses subsequent undergrowth.
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From page 33... ...
Its depth-controlled blade passed under the crowns, lifting rhizomes and soil via a conveyor to a cleaning drum. As the drum rotated, the "stool" of the plant was cleaned and the individual rhizomes broken off.
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From page 34... ...
The starch needs to be tested in various products for palatability and market acceptability. Genetic Improvement Although the genetics and breeding of achira are poorly understood, the ornamental cannas (notably Canna generalis and Canna indica)
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From page 35... ...
Various kinds of polyploids should be developed by interspecific crossing between achira and closely related species, and their qualities assessed. is SPECIES INFORMATION Botanical Name Canna edulis Ker-Gawler Family Cannaceae Synonyms Canna achiras Gillies Common Namesi6 Quechua: achira Spanish: achira; achera (Argentina and Bolivia)
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From page 36... ...
The beautiful, bright-red to orange bisexual flowers occur in long terminal clusters standing above the leaves. Some plants produce round, black seeds, but farmers propagate the plant exclusively by vegetative means.
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From page 37... ...
The plant tolerates heavy soils and, reportedly, weathered, acidic, tropical latosols as well. Like most root crops, however, achira does best in loose, well-watered, well-drained, and rich soils.
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