Y A M (UBI)
Yam or ubi is known throughout the world. It is a vine and so its needs support to climb on. Its
fruits are violet or light purple. The temperature it likes is 25’C – 30’C , and grows well if
watered throughout its life. The soil it likes best is loose and with good drainage.
It is good to plant yam between April and May when the sun is abundant. When the day is
long, it has plenty of leaves and branches. When the day is short, the development of the
fruits is good. The variety “kinampay” is of superior quality because of its aroma, taste and
violet color. This is powdered and used in the manufacture of ice cream.
PREPARATION OF THE LAND FOR PLANTING
1.As in other crops, plow and harrow two times to make the soil loose. Remove all weeds
and growths.
2.When the field is clean make small hills about 10-cm high 1 meter apart from each
other where ubi will be planted.
PREPARATION OF MATERIALS FOR PLANTING
1.A few days before planting, cut up the ubi about 150-200 gms size (125 gms if
kinampay is to be planted).
2.Apply ash on the white part to keep from infection, or soak in Benlate solution about
20-30 minutes.
PLANTING
1. Plant the ubi pieces when growth starts to come out.
2. *Plant these in the prepared hills about 75 cm apart.
SUPPORT
1.Ubi needs supports for climbing. Thrust branches of wood or bamboo about 2-1/4 m
high, and tie together the ends of every two adjacent poles.
2. Always remove weeds around the plants.
FERTILIZER
Ubi likes nitrogen and potassium. * Apply fertilizer one month after germination. Apply
complete fertilizer or 14-14–14 NPK 2 months after planting 4 sacks per hectare.
HARVESTING
1.(About 8 months in planting) plow the ubi one or two months after it is matured – when
the leaves turn yellow.
2. Dig up around the root crop, lift up the whole ubi and cut the vine..
STORING
1. Apply ashes on the ubi crop where it was bruised to keep it from rotting.
2. Store this in a shady and sandy place free being wet.
3. Don’t stack up one on top of the other.
OTHER WAYS OF STORING: UNDER THE GROUND
1. Dig a deep hole, place here the ubi and cover with the soil.
2.Provide shade over the place by putting coconut leaves. Always inspect because in
this way, it not adequately aired.
.
*Greenfield March 1991
from: Extension Communication Division
Visayas State College of Agri, Leyte