Lost Crops of the Incas Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation (1989) / Chapter Skim
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Arracacha
Arracacha
Pages 46-55
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From page 46... ...
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From page 47... ...
It is also found in Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Recently, arracacha has gained popularity in southern Brazil and has become an established vegetable in the city markets.2 It is grown in big fields using modern techniques.
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As noted, arracacha has received little research attention, but, with modern technology, is being successfully cultivated in Brazil. Many countries of Latin America and elsewhere seem likely to reap direct benefit from this experience.
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USES Young, tender arracacha roots are eaten boiled, baked, or fried, or are added to stews. They have a crisp texture; white, yellow, or purple flesh; and a delicate flavor that combines the tastes of celery, cabbage, and roasted chestnut.
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From page 50... ...
AGRONOMY Arracacha is traditionally propagated with offsets or shoots that are produced on the crown of the main rootstock.6 After removal, the base of each offset is slashed repeatedly to stimulate the shoots to form and to encourage a uniform arrangement of lateral roots. The offsets are left to "heal" for 2-3 days and are then planted, usually in holes along furrows.
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From page 51... ...
The farmer retards flowering by breaking the leaf stems, thereby increasing the root size. Harvest time is determined by snapping a finger against the lateral roots and judging the maturity by the sound.
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Del Valle suspects that yields of all types could be greatly improved, particularly by correcting micronutrient imbalances in local soils (deep clay) and by giving more attention to the problem of root rots.
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Tissue culture propagation seems a likely method for eliminating viral diseases. It is necessary to explore seed physiology, viable seed production, and the variability obtained from sexual propagation for use in potential breeding programs.
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The cylindrical central root bears numerous lateral roots that are 5-25 cm long and swollen to 2-6 cm in diameter. Their flesh ranges in color from white to yellow or purple, with a creamy white exterior.
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From page 55... ...
Types with golden roots and orange roots have been obtained by sexual propagation in Brazil. A type resistant to the bacterial disease Xanthomonas arracaceae is also being tested.9 Andean germplasm collections are held in Merida, Venezuela, and Cajamarca, Peru.
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