When do you pick yams

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Harvesting Romaine Lettuce. Harvesting Garlic Scapes. Harvesting Peas. Harvesting Techniques for Horseradish. I established that this happened before the whole leaves started to decompose, some six months after planting had been done in the rainy season. Harvesting yams at this point would have two major benefits. It would help improve the food and storage quality of the yam. It would also ensure that the farmer could use the same plot of land for planting another crop, especially vegetables, before the end of the rainy season to generate more income.

This would benefit subsistence farmers enormously. My research involved planting whole seed tubers of various sizes g — g from five local varieties and 15 genotypes of white yam at the beginning of the rainy season. I conducted my research in and but the findings remain relevant.

Harvesting was done at monthly intervals four months after planting was done and when the vines began to emerge. Harvesting continued until the point at which the foliage started to decompose. Within this period the dry matter, sugar and starch contents of both the leaves and yam tubers were measured.

The aim was to derive an indication of the best time to harvest the tuber. Dry matter: In the leaves dry matter content increased steadily from four months till six months after planting when the lower leaves started to turn yellow. In the tuber dry matter content increased steadily as they aged until all the leaves decomposed. I deduced from this that harvesting was best done when the spike in dry matter content of leaves was noticed — that is when they started to turn yellow. Do not store them in the refrigerator because low temperatures will cause the sugars to turn to starch.

They can be stored for 6 to 10 months under good conditions. Facebook Youtube Instagram Linkedin. About P. How to Harvest and Cure Sweet Potatoes. Allen Smith.