A Practical Guide to Identifying Yams CROPS
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Arrowroot Production and Utilization in the Marshall Islands
J. Ethnobiol. 14(2):211-234 Winter 1994 TRADITIONAL ARROWROOT PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS DIRK H. R. SPENNEMANN Johnstone Centre of Parks, RecreJltion, and Heritage Charles Sturt University p. 0. Box 789 Albury, NSW 2640 Australia ABSTRACT.-This paperexamines the traditional and modern role of Polynesian arrowroot (Tacca leontopetaloides) in the subsistence and market economy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, a group of atolls in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean. The plant is discussed in its biological and nutritional parameters. Aspects of traditional arrowroot production, starch extraction, and food preparation are examined. In the final section the potential role of the root crop in modern Mar shallese society is discussed. RESUMEN.-Este trabajo examina el papel tradicional y moderno de Tacca leon topetaloides en la economfa de subsistencia y de mercado en la Republica de las Islas Marshall, un grupo de Islas coralinas en el Oceano Pacifico ecuatoria1 cen tral. Se discuten los parimetros biol6gicos y nutricionales de esta planta, y se examinan los aspectos de la producci6n tradicional, la extracci6n de almid6n y la preparaci6n como alimento. En la secci6n final se discute el papel potencial de este cu1tivo en 1a sociedad moderna de las Islas Marshall. REsUME.-Nous examinons les roles traditionels et modernes de l'arrowroot Polynesien (raWl leontopetaloides) dans la subsistance et I'economie de la Repub Iique des Ilsles Marshalles, un groupe d'attoUs de l'Ocean Pacifique Equatorial Central. Les parametres biologiques et nutritifs de cette plante sont consideres. NOllS examinons dif£erents aspects de production traditionelle d'arrowroot, ainsi que I'extraction de la £ecule et Ia preparation des aliments. -
Diversity and Distribution of the Genus Dioscorea In
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION INTRODUCTION • The genus Dioscorea is one of the largest groups among OF THE GENUS DIOSCOREA IN monocotyledons belonging to the family Dioscoreaceae. • The members are commonly known as yams and are widely WESTERN GHATS cultivated for its edible tubers throughout tropics and occupies 3rd most important food crops in the world, next to cereals and pulses. • The word yams comes from Portuguese or Spanish name as “Inhame” which means “to eat”. Elsamma Joseph (Arackal) • The genus is distributed mainly in three centers of diversity A.G. Pandurangan & S. Ganeshan namely South Africa, South East Asia and Latin America. • The genus Dioscorea represents 850 spp. (Mabberley, 1997) and in India reported the occurrence of 32 spp. (Prain and Burkill, 1936, 1939) of which 17 are distributed in W. Ghats. • The genus shows close affinity towards dicotyledons by the presence of petiolate compound leaves, non sheathing leaf base, reticulate venation etc. Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala REASONS FOR UNDERTAKING THE REASONS FOR UNDERTAKING THE STUDY STUDY…….contd • The taxonomy of quite a few species in this genus is considered • Many of the Dioscorea species serve as a “life saving” plant to be very problematic ( Prain and Burkill, 1936, 1939; Velayudan, group to marginal farmers and forest dwelling communities 1998) due to their continuous variability of morphological during the period of food scarcity (Arora and Anjula pandey, characters especially in aerial parts such as leaves and bulbils. 1996) This makes it difficult for taxonomists to segregate distinctly the various taxa of the genus. • Most of the tubers are edible and few are also used as medicinal. -
Pacific Root Crops
module 4 PACIFIC ROOT CROPS 60 MODULE 4 PACIFIC ROOT CROPS 4.0 ROOT CROPS IN THE PACIFIC Tropical root crops are grown widely throughout tropical and subtropical regions around the world and are a staple food for over 400 million people. Despite a growing reliance on imported flour and rice products in the Pacific, root crops such as taro (Colocasia esculenta), giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis), giant taro (Alocasia macrorhhiza), tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), cassava (Manihot esculenta), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and yams (Dioscorea spp.) remain critically important components of many Pacific Island diets, particularly for the large rural populations that still prevail in many PICTs (Table 4.1). Colocasia taro, one of the most common and popular root crops in the region, has become a mainstay of many Pacific Island cultures. Considered a prestige crop, it is the crop of choice for traditional feasts, gifts and fulfilling social obligations in many PICTs. Though less widely eaten, yams, giant taro and giant swamp taro are also culturally and nutritionally important in some PICTs and have played an important role in the region’s food security. Tannia, cassava and sweet potato are relatively newcomers to the Pacific region but have rapidly gained traction among some farmers on account of their comparative ease of establishment and cultivation, and resilience to pests, disease and drought. Generations of accumulated traditional knowledge relating to seasonal variations in rainfall, temperature, winds and pollination, and their influence on crop planting and harvesting times now lie in jeopardy given the unparalleled speed of environmental change impacting the region. -
Weed Notes: Dioscorea Bulbifera, D. Alata, D. Sansibarensis Tunyalee
Weed Notes: Dioscorea bulbifera, D. alata, D. sansibarensis TunyaLee Morisawa The Nature Conservancy Wildland Invasive Species Program http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu 27 September 1999 Background: Dioscorea bulbifera L. is commonly called air-potato, potato vine, and air yam. The genus Dioscorea (true yams) is economically important world-wide as a food crop. Two-thirds of the worldwide production is grown in West Africa. The origin of D. bulbifera is uncertain. Some believe that the plant is native to both Asia and Africa. Others believe that it is a native of Asia and was subsequently introduced into Africa (Hammer, 1998). In 1905, D. bulbifera was imported into Florida for scientific study. A perennial herbaceous vine with annual stems, D. bulbifera climbs to a height of 9 m or more by twining to the left. Potato vine has alternate, orbicular to cordate leaves, 10-25 cm wide, with prominent veins (Hammer, 1998). Dioscorea alata (white yam), also found in Florida, is recognizable by its winged stems. These wings are often pink on plants growing in the shade. Unlike D. bulbifera, D. alata twines to the right. Native to Southeast Asia and Indo-Malaysia, this species is also grown as a food crop. The leaves are heart-shaped like D. bulbifera, but more elongate and primarily opposite. Sometimes the leaves are alternate in young, vigorous stems and often one leaf is aborted and so the vine appears to be alternate, but the remaining leaf scar is still visible. Stems may root and develop underground tubers that can reach over 50 kg in weight if they touch damp soil. -
Micronesica 38(1):93–120, 2005
Micronesica 38(1):93–120, 2005 Archaeological Evidence of a Prehistoric Farming Technique on Guam DARLENE R. MOORE Micronesian Archaeological Research Services P.O. Box 22303, GMF, Guam, 96921 Abstract—On Guam, few archaeological sites with possible agricultural features have been described and little is known about prehistoric culti- vation practices. New information about possible upland planting techniques during the Latte Phase (c. A.D. 1000–1521) of Guam’s Prehistoric Period, which began c. 3,500 years ago, is presented here. Site M201, located in the Manenggon Hills area of Guam’s interior, con- tained three pit features, two that yielded large pieces of coconut shell, bits of introduced calcareous rock, and several large thorns from the roots of yam (Dioscorea) plants. A sample of the coconut shell recovered from one of the pits yielded a calibrated (2 sigma) radiocarbon date with a range of A.D. 986–1210, indicating that the pits were dug during the early Latte Phase. Archaeological evidence and historic literature relat- ing to planting, harvesting, and cooking of roots and tubers on Guam suggest that some of the planting methods used in historic to recent times had been used at Site M201 near the beginning of the Latte Phase, about 1000 years ago. I argue that Site M201 was situated within an inland root/tuber agricultural zone. Introduction The completion of numerous archaeological projects on Guam in recent years has greatly increased our knowledge of the number and types of prehis- toric sites, yet few of these can be considered agricultural. Descriptions of agricultural terraces, planting pits, irrigation canals, or other agricultural earth works are generally absent from archaeological site reports, although it has been proposed that some of the piled rock alignments in northern Guam could be field boundaries (Liston 1996). -
Plant Production--Root Vegetables--Yams Yams
AU.ENCI FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVILOPME4T FOR AID USE ONLY WASHINGTON. 0 C 20823 A. PRIMARYBIBLIOGRAPHIC INPUT SHEET I. SUBJECT Bbliography Z-AFOO-1587-0000 CL ASSI- 8 SECONDARY FICATIDN Food production and nutrition--Plant production--Root vegetables--Yams 2. TITLE AND SUBTITLE A bibliography of yams and the genus Dioscorea 3. AUTHOR(S) Lawani,S.M.; 0dubanjo,M.0. 4. DOCUMENT DATE IS. NUMBER OF PAGES 6. ARC NUMBER 1976 J 199p. ARC 7. REFERENCE ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS IITA 8. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES (Sponaoring Ordanization, Publlahera, Availability) (No annotations) 9. ABSTRACT This bibliography on yams bring together the scattered literature on the genus Dioscorea from the early nineteenth century through 1975. The 1,562 entries in this bibliography are grouped into 36 subject categories, and arranged within each category alphabetically by author. Some entries, particularly those whose titles are not sufficiently informative, are annotated. The major section titles in the book are as follows: general and reference works; history and eography; social and cultural importance; production and economics; botany including taxonomy, genetics, and breeding); yam growing (including fertilizers and plant nutrition); pests and diseases; storage; processing; chemical composition, nutritive value, and utilization; toxic and pharmacologically active constituents; author index; and subject index. Most entries are in English, with a few in French, Spanish, or German. 10. CONTROL NUMBER I1. PRICE OF DOCUMENT PN-AAC-745 IT. DrSCRIPTORS 13. PROJECT NUMBER Sweet potatoes Yams 14. CONTRACT NUMBER AID/ta-G-1251 GTS 15. TYPE OF DOCUMENT AID 590-1 44-741 A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF YAMS AND THE GENUS DIOSCOREA by S. -
The Hawaiian Islands Case Study Robert F
FEATURE Origin of Horticulture in Southeast Asia and the Dispersal of Domesticated Plants to the Pacific Islands by Polynesian Voyagers: The Hawaiian Islands Case Study Robert F. Bevacqua1 Honolulu Botanical Gardens, 50 North Vineyard Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96817 In the islands of Southeast Asia, following the valleys of the Euphrates, Tigris, and Nile tuber, and fruit crops, such as taro, yams, the Pleistocene or Ice ages, the ancestors of the rivers—and that the first horticultural crops banana, and breadfruit. Polynesians began voyages of exploration into were figs, dates, grapes, olives, lettuce, on- Chang (1976) speculates that the first hor- the Pacific Ocean (Fig. 1) that resulted in the ions, cucumbers, and melons (Halfacre and ticulturists were fishers and gatherers who settlement of the Hawaiian Islands in A.D. 300 Barden, 1979; Janick, 1979). The Greek, Ro- inhabited estuaries in tropical Southeast Asia. (Bellwood, 1987; Finney, 1979; Irwin, 1992; man, and European civilizations refined plant They lived sedentary lives and had mastered Jennings, 1979; Kirch, 1985). These skilled cultivation until it evolved into the discipline the use of canoes. The surrounding terrestrial mariners were also expert horticulturists, who we recognize as horticulture today (Halfacre environment contained a diverse flora that carried aboard their canoes many domesti- and Barden, 1979; Janick, 1979). enabled the fishers to become intimately fa- cated plants that would have a dramatic impact An opposing view associates the begin- miliar with a wide range of plant resources. on the natural environment of the Hawaiian ning of horticulture with early Chinese civili- The first plants to be domesticated were not Islands and other areas of the world. -
Discovery of Three Varieties of Dioscorea Trifida Grown in Venezuelan Amazons, with Quite Low-Amylose Starch: I
Discovery of three varieties of Dioscorea trifida grown in Venezuelan Amazons, with quite low-amylose Starch: I. Physical attributes and proximate composition of the tubers and characterization of its waxy starches. Pérez, E.; Jiménez, Y.; Dufour, D.; Sanchez, T., Giraldo, A.; Gibert, O.; Reynes, M. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos (ICTA), Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Central de Venezuela. International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), UMR, Qualisud, Montpellier, Francia ABSTRACT Yam Dioscorea trifida, is an economical and cultural important crop for indigenous from Amazon region of South America. These crops could be a potential supply of starch that would be good source for different food industries. Nonetheless, is very little known about their composition and its starch type. Consequently, in this study were characterized the physical attributes and proximate composition of the tubers, and were also isolated, purified and characterized the starches of three varieties of Dioscorea trifida, cultured at the Amazons of Venezuela by the indigenous community “Piaroa”. Results reveal noticeable differences in the morphology, whole external appearance of the three tubers, and also in the color, forms and sizes. The protein, ash, starch and fat contents were higher in the white variety than those of purple and black ones, but the total carbohydrates showed inverse tendency. The dietary fiber content was obviously higher in the black variety, than the other two. Despite in literature there are not report for waxy Dioscorea trifida, the data of amylose content reveal that these starches are waxy. Its starches are white with quite low amylose content, with some mineral content, especially phosphorous, with similar rheological behaviors; exhibiting a quite stable viscosity during the holding stage, high breakdown, similar consistency and low setback upon cooling down. -
Weeds As Pathogen Hosts and Disease Risk for Crops In
Journal of Fungi Article Weeds as Pathogen Hosts and Disease Risk for Crops in the Wake of a Reduced Use of Herbicides: Evidence from Yam (Dioscorea alata) Fields and Colletotrichum Pathogens in the Tropics Pauline Dentika, Harry Ozier-Lafontaine and Laurent Penet * UR ASTRO, INRAE, F-97170 Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, France; [email protected] (P.D.); [email protected] (H.O.-L.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: The transition toward sustainable agriculture requires rethinking cropping systems in the light of less intensive and chemically reliant practices. Weed management is one of the target practices to evolve cropping systems with decreased impact on the environment. While softened management will lead to increased weeds/crops coexistence, it is of importance to assess the relative benefits and drawbacks of new practices. Among the potential drawbacks of weeds/crops coexistence, disease risk may increase if weeds are hosting pathogens. In this study, we assessed the potential of weeds for hosting pathogenic generalist fungi known to translate into disease in crops. We first describe prevalence in fields after harvest and relate prevalence to species characteristics and communities. Then, we directly test the idea that weeds serve as inoculums sources during cropping with a natural experiment. This study highlights variation in host skill among feral weeds for Colletotrichum species, Citation: Dentika, P.; including potential congeneric sub-specialization on different weeds within communities. Last, Ozier-Lafontaine, H.; Penet, L. Weeds as Pathogen Hosts and Disease Risk prevalence within fields was more correlated to focal crop inoculation rates compared to local weed for Crops in the Wake of a Reduced load, but there was a significant correlation effect with prevalence on weeds in the vicinity of fields, Use of Herbicides: Evidence from suggesting that weeds are mediating disease levels at the local scale, too. -
Dioscorea Batatas (Dioscorea Polystachya) Chinese Yam
Dioscorea polystachya Dioscorea batatas (Dioscorea polystachya) Chinese yam Introduction The genus Dioscorea includes more than 600 species worldwide in tropical and temperate regions. According to early publications of Chinese flora, 49 species are distributed in China; however, in the updated versions, there are 53 species (listed in the next section). Dioscorea is a genus of great economic value as an important food plant. Some species are also resources for the pharmaceutical industry[28][29]. Species of Dioscorea in China Leaves of Dioscora batatas. Scientific Name Scientific Name D. alata L. D. kamoonensis Kunth Taxonomy D. althaeoides R. Knuth D. linearicordata Prain et Burkill Family: Dioscoreaceae D. aspersa Prain et Burkill D. martini Prain et Burkill Genus: Dioscorea L. D. banzuana Péi et C. T. Ting D. melanophyma Prain et Burkill There are many scientific synonyms ‡ D. benthamii Prain et Burkill D. menglaensis H. Li and common names for D. batatas. D. bicolor Prain et Burkill D. nipponica Makino Dioscorea batatas is called Chinese yam, D. biformifolia Péi et C. T. Ting D. nitens Prain et Burkil cinnamon yam, wild yam, or common D. birmanica Prain et Burkill† D. panthaica Prain et Burkill yam; it is referred to as Dioscorea D. bulbifera L. D. pentaphylla L. polystachya and Dioscorea opposita. D. chingii Prain et Burkill D. persimilis Prain et Burkill It is also synonymous with Dioscorea D. cirrhosa Loar. D. poilanei Prain et Burkill oppositifolia. Dioscorea batatas is the taxonomic name generally used in the D. collettii Hook. f. D. polystachya Turczaninow‡ United States[29]. D. cumingii Prain et Burkill† D. -
Air Potato Leaf Beetle Scientific Name:Lilioceris Cheni Gressitt and Kimoto (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Air Potato Leaf Beetle Scientific name: Lilioceris cheni Gressitt and Kimoto (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Introduction Air potato, Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoreales: Dioscoreaceae), is a fast- growing perennial vine native to Asia and Africa. It has been introduced into the southeastern United States on multiple occasions and has become established in Hawaii, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Currently air potato is registered as a noxious weed in Florida and Alabama (USDA 2015). In Louisiana, populations of D. bulbifera have been recorded in 13 parishes (Figure 1). The air potato vine quickly grows to cover large areas and outcompetes native vegetation. It proliferates freely from vegetative bulbils Figure 1. Distribution of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) in the United States. Source: EDDMapS.org formed in the leaf axils and is difficult to remove, requiring repeated mechanical and herbicidal treatments. A successful biological control program against D. bulbifera was initiated in Florida in 2011 using the air potato leaf beetle, Lilioceris cheni (Rayamajhi et al., 2014). Extensive laboratory and open field studies showed L. cheni to be extremely host-specific, feeding and developing only on D. bulbifera and not on related species of Dioscorea found in Florida including D. floridana, D. villosa, and D. sansibarensis (Lake et al., 2015). Rearing and release of L. cheni on public and private lands is currently conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the University of Florida. Establishment of the beetle has been confirmed across Florida. Based on its success in Florida, there is reason to believe that L. -
Lilioceris Egena Air Potato Biocontrol Environmental Assessment
United States Department of Field Release of the Beetle Agriculture Lilioceris egena (Coleoptera: Marketing and Regulatory Chrysomelidae) for Classical Programs Biological Control of Air Potato, Dioscorea bulbifera (Dioscoreaceae), in the Continental United States Environmental Assessment, February 2021 Field Release of the Beetle Lilioceris egena (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) for Classical Biological Control of Air Potato, Dioscorea bulbifera (Dioscoreaceae), in the Continental United States Environmental Assessment, February 2021 Agency Contact: Colin D. Stewart, Assistant Director Pests, Pathogens, and Biocontrol Permits Plant Protection and Quarantine Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service U.S. Department of Agriculture 4700 River Rd., Unit 133 Riverdale, MD 20737 Non-Discrimination Policy The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) To File an Employment Complaint If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your agency's EEO Counselor (PDF) within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a personnel action. Additional information can be found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html. To File a Program Complaint If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form.