Overview
Tapioca , also known as cassava , is a stiff ancestor veg that iswidely cultivatedin Kerala , India . It is a staple food for many people in the region and is used in a variety of dishes . If you are interested in learning how toplant tapiocain Kerala , thiscomprehensive guidewill provide you with all the necessary info .
Site Selection and Soil Preparation
1 . Site choice : Tapioca favor well - drained , arenaceous loam soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 . take a site thatreceives full sunfor optimum growth.2 . Soil Preparation : Till the soil to a depth of 12 - 18 inch and transfer any weeds or debris . Add constituent affair such as compost or manure to better soil rankness .
Planting Tapioca
1 . Planting Time : Theideal timeto plant tapioca in Kerala is during themonsoon time of year , from June to September.2 . Stem film editing : Cuttings are shoot from matured tapioca plant . Select healthy stems that are about 12 - 18inches longand have several nodes.3 . Planting Method : Dig holes6 - 8inches deepand 2 - 3 feet apart . put the root word cuttings in the hole with thenodes facing up . fill up the hole with filth and campaign down firmly .
Watering and Fertilization
1 . Watering : Tapioca works require regular lachrymation , especially during thedry season . H2O deeply and infrequently , allowing the soil to dry out slenderly between waterings.2 . Fertilization : Fertilize tapioca plantswith abalanced fertilizercontaining nitrogen , phosphorus , and K . Apply fertilizer every 4 - 6 weeks during the growing season .
Mulching and Weed Control
1 . Mulching : mulch aroundtapioca plants helpstoretain wet , suppress weeds , and regulate soil temperature . Use organic cloth such as straw , hay , or compost as mulch.2 . Weed Control : Keep the planting domain free of weeds byregular weedingor using herbicides . weed compete with tapioca plants for nutrients and urine .
Pest and Disease Management
1 . Pests : Common pests thataffect tapioca works admit mealybugs , whiteflies , and pinch . Useorganic pest dominance methodssuch asneem oilor insecticidal soap to control these pests.2 . Diseases : Tapioca plant life are susceptible to diseases such as brown leaf spot , bacterial blight , androot rot . Practice good sanitation and use disease - resistant varieties to understate disease outbreaks .
Harvesting Tapioca
1 . harvest meter : Tapioca rootsare quick for harvest 8 - 12 month after plant . The folio willturn yellowand start to fall off when the roots are mature.2 . Harvesting Method : dig out up theroots carefullyusing a spade or fork . Avoid damaging the roots , as this can deoxidise their storage life story .
Post-Harvest Handling and Storage
1 . cleanup and Sorting : Clean the roots by removing any soil or debris . Sort the beginning by size and quality.2 . Storage : Tapioca rootscan be hive away for up to 2 - 3 calendar week in a coolheaded , dry station . They can also be processed into flour or starch for longer storage .
What People Want to Know
Q : What is the respectable type of soil for grow tapioca?A : Tapioca preferswell - drained , sandy loam soilswith a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.Q : How deeply should I institute tapioca cuttings?A : Plant tapioca cuttings6 - 8inches deepand 2 - 3 foot asunder . Q : How often should I irrigate tapioca plants?A : Water tapioca plants deeplyand infrequently , allowing the soil to dry out out slimly between lachrymation . Q : What is the mostcommon pestthat affects tapioca plants?A : Mealybugs are the mostcommon pestthat affects tapioca plants . Q : How long does it take fortapioca rootsto mature?A : Tapioca rootsare quick for harvest 8 - 12 months after planting .