|
Sci Tech
Tapioca for drylands
TAPIOCA (Manihot utilissima) can be grown with minimum care in dry tracts.
Soils having optimum drainage and sufficient aeration suit the crop. Red soils having loose texture suit tubers. High yielding varieties like CO2, CO3 are best suited for these tracts. The sets are to be planted at a distance of 75cm between rows and 75cm between plants, each 5cm deep.
The field should be cleared of weeds and the stems strengthened by earthing up at monthly intervals. Irrigation once in 10 days is sufficient for the plants.
To control sucking pests which act as vectors for spreading Mosaic virus, Neem oil 5ml mixed with 4g of fish oil resin soap in one litre of water sett treatment by dipping in a solution of 1g carbendazim dissolved in a litre of water or applying trichoderma viridi 1kg mixed with 50kg FYM is effective against tuber rot.
Growing onion, pulses, groundnut or vegetables have been proved to be suitable intercrops. Matured tubers can be dug out after 8-1/2 — 10 months yielding about 12-15 tonnes per acre.
K. Gireesan Nair
Radhapuram 62711, Tirunelveli
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Sci Tech
|
