- Address : P.O. Box 11, Gannoruwa rd, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- E- Mail : director.hordi@doa.gov.lk
- Telephone :(+94) 081-2388011-12-13
- Fax :(+94) 081-2388234
Kiri Ala
Xanthosoma sagittifolium
High Nutritious value crop. Under irrigation condition cultivate throughout the year. This is economically profitable as it can be cultivated with low inputs marginal lands with low risk.
Released Varieties
Climatic requirements/ Areas suitable for cultivation
Annual rainfall requirement is about 1500mm. High temperature is preferred with intermittent dry period.
Soil
Preferred pH level range is 5.5 -6.5. Soil with high organic matter content is suitable. Good drainage is important
Cutting requirement
9000-10,000 plants/ha
Nursery Management
Mother Corms are used as planting material. Mother corms are cut in to 2 – 2.5 inches width cuttings. They are treated with fungicide or ash.
Planted in sand Nursery in shady place or cuttings are planted in top soil, organic fertilizer and sand mixture (1:1:1 ratio). At planting 3-4 inches distance is maintain within cuttings. Finally cover the cuttings with straw and irrigate.
When the plants have 4-5 leaves at about 1.5-2 month age, Plants are ready to establish in the field.
Land preparation
Plough the land, holes are prepared as 45 cm x 45 cm x 45 cm in normal soil. In had soil 60 cm x 60 cm x 45 cm holes are needed. Fill the holes with organic matter.
Planting
1.5 month age plants are taken from the nursery without damaging the root system. Planting can be done both in Yala and Maha season with irrigation,
Spacing
1m x 1m
Fertilizer
Add organic fertilizer as much as possible. Add inorganic fertilizer as recommended by the Department of Agriculture.
Fertilizer recommendation for 1ha
Time of Application | Urea(Kg) | TSP(Kg) | MOP(Kg) |
Basal(3Days before planting or 2 weeks after planting ) | 30 | 120 | 60 |
Top Dressing One(1.5-2 months after planting) | 60 | – | 60 |
Top Dressing Two(3-3.5 months after planting) | 60 | – | 60 |
After 4-4.5 month of age reduce nitrogen fertilizer application, this help to reduce vegetative growth and increase corm formation
Water supply
Irrigation is important. At dry period leaves burn
Weed Control
Weed control is important, especially at the beginning of the crop
Pest Management
Disease Management
The main disease is yellowing of leaves. Symptoms include rot inside the coma, root rot and yellowing of the leaves. This can be controlled by preparing a well-ventilated soil with good drainage. half burnt paddy husk (completely unburned) can be used to provide good aeration to the soil. In chemical control, the coma can be immersed in the recommended chemical for about half an hour and then planted in the field.
- Homai WP – 5g/5l
- Thiram WP – 7g /5l
Harvesting
Harvest at 8-10 month. At maturity leaf length and leaf growth rare is reduced
Yield
14-15 t/ha is obtained. Average corm weight is about 125-150g
Training
Reduce the vegetative growth by cutting surface roots
