XANTHOSOMA
Presented by - Gaurav (H-2023-33-BIV)
Ghanishta (H-2023-34-BIV). Isha (H--2023-37-BIV)-
Harshit (H-2023-35-BIV). Isha Sen ( H -2023-38-BIV)
TAXANOM
Y
- BN- Xanthosoma
sagittifolium
- Family- Araceae
- Chromosome no.-2n=26
- Origin - Tropical America
- Common name -
Cocoyam
COCOYAM
Cocoyam is a common name for more than one tropical
root and vegetable crops belonging to the ARUM family
and may refer to-
- TARO ( colacasia esculenta) - old cocoyam
- MALANGA ( Xanthosoma spp) - new cocoyam
USES
- The main Corms are usually acrid and only the cornels are eaten.
- Cormels are boiled baked or parboiled and fried in oil.
- In West Africa tubers are sometimes ground to produce FUFU For
the use in stew and soup.
- The right peeled corms may ground to produce a flour , which is
considered to be as palatable as cassava flour , but more
nutritious.
- The leaves can be boiled and used as vegetable , similar to
spinach .
USES
- The usable parts is the subterranean tuberous stems
which contain
# 15-39% of CARBOHYDRATE
# 2-3% of PROTEIN
# 70-77 of WATER
- The nutritional value is comparable to the potato and
is probably easier to digest
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
- It is a HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL PLANT .
- It has a CORM or main underground stem in the form of a RHIZOM which
swollen secondary shoots or CORMELS occur
- Several large leaves also sprout from the main stem , which are signifate and
erect with long ribbed petioles .
- Inflorescences sprout between the leaves in a SPADIX with a white 12-15 cm
SPATHE.
- Spadix is cylindrical slightly longer than the spathe with female flowers on
the lower portion male flowers on the upper portion and sterile flowers in the
middle portion
- Spadices are rarely fertile and produce fee viable seeds .
GROWTH CYCLE
- Lasts from 9-11 months
- FIRST SIX MONTH the corms and leaves develop
- IN LAST FOUR MONTHS, the foliage remains stable and
when it begins to dry, the plants are ready for the
cormels to be harvested .
Xanthosoma: Genetic Diversity, Climate,
and Soil
A Detailed Overview
Genetic Diversity
• - Xanthosoma consists of multiple cultivated species:
• - X. atrovirens
• - X. caracu
• - X. nigrum (X. violaceum)
• - X. sagittifolium
• - Variability arises from:
• - Segregation due to rare seed formation
• - Leaf bud mutations
• - Exhibits diversity in leaf shape, color, cormels, and plant structure.
Climate Requirements
• Native to tropical rainforests; thrives in warm,
humid conditions.
• Prefers temperatures exceeding 20°C.
• Grows best under full sunlight despite natural
shade tolerance.
• Requires high moisture levels for optimal growth.
Soil Requirements
• Requires well-drained soil to prevent
waterlogging.
• Grows in a variety of soil types but performs best
in fertile, loamy soil.
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5 to 7.0).
• Adequate organic matter improves growth and
yield.
Propagation
• Most commonly used are portions of the central corm
weigh between 100-150 g with three or four buds.
• They give greater yields than the cormels which are also
sometimes used.
• In advanced countries, a system has been developed for
supplying growers with "seed" originating from virus-
free cultivations of stem tips grown in vitro.
• With this material, not only is the yield quadrupled but
the exportable portion of the harvest increases from 40
to 80 per cent, which amply compensates for the cost of
sowing.
• Elimination of the malanga (tannia) virus is so far the
most remunerative control operation in tannia
cultivation.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under
Planting
• Proper ploughing followed by planking is required
• Mounds or ridges are formed for planting the seed.
• Planting is done in ridges when harvesting is semi-
mechanized.
• The portions of the corm are placed at a depth of 6 -
7 cm
• If planted closer to the surface, they produce
numerous side shoots which reduce yield.
• Planting at a distance of 100-150cm x 40-50 cm is
required
• In small plantations, they are planted in mounds
spaced at 1 x 1 or 1.3 x 1.3 m.
• In some places the best results were obtained with
Cultivation
• The first six months is a critical period for weed control.
• Backed up by the application of pre-emergence herbicides, preparation of the
ground for planting (ploughing and raking) helps considerably in controlling
weeds.
• As the plants need to be earthed up several times, this contributes to keeping the
soil clean.
Manure and fertilizers
• The use of chemical and organic fertilizers is widespread both in small and
commercial plantations.
• In the latter, several dressings of fertilizer are applied; for example, the
recommendations in Costa Rica are 150 kg per hectare of 10-30-1 0 at the time
of sowing, 200 kg of Nutrán after two months and 200 kg per hectare of 15-3-30
after four months.
MAJOR DISEASES OF XANTHOSOMA
1. Pythium Root Rot (Pythium spp.)
🞂 Cause: Soil-borne fungus (especially Pythium
myriotylum).
🞂 Symptoms: Water-soaked lesions on roots and
corms, leading to soft rot; wilting and stunted
growth.
🞂 Conditions: High soil moisture, poor drainage.
🞂 Control: Improve drainage, crop rotation, and use
of fungicides like metalaxyl.
2. Leaf Blight (Phytophthora colocasiae)
🞂 Cause: Fungus-like oomycete.
🞂 Symptoms: Brown to black water-soaked
lesions on leaves that expand rapidly, often
with yellow halo.
🞂 Conditions: Warm, wet environment.
🞂 Control: Remove infected leaves, apply
fungicides (e.g mancozeb, copper-based),
and increase spacing.
3. Dasheen Mosaic Virus (DsMV)
🞂Cause: Potyvirus.
🞂Symptoms: Mottling, leaf distortion,
stunted growth.
🞂Transmission: By aphids and through
infected planting material.
🞂Control: Use virus-free planting
material, control aphids, and rogue
infected plants.
4. Bacterial Soft Rot (Erwinia spp.)
🞂Cause: Bacterial infection.
🞂Symptoms: Soft, foul-smelling rot in
corms and stems; slimy tissues.
🞂Conditions: High humidity and
mechanical damage.
🞂Control: Sanitation, avoid injury, good
drainage, and avoid waterlogging .
[Link] (Colletotrichum
spp.)
🞂Cause: Fungal pathogen.
🞂Symptoms: Dark sunken lesions on
leaves and stems; dieback of leaf tips.
🞂Control: Use of fungicides (e.g.,
chlorothalonil), remove
infected plant parts.
Harvesting….
Harvesting Xanthosoma properly ensures high yield and good quality corms.
Maturity Period Harvest Time: 8 to 12 months after planting, depending on variety,
climate, and growing conditions.
Indicators of Maturity:
[Link] and drying of lower leaves.
[Link] of corms and cormels.
[Link] attachment of corms to the stem.
[Link] in new leaf production.
Harvesting Method Manual Harvesting (Most Common)Tools Used: Cutlass, hoe, or
digging fork.
Steps:
1. Loosen soil gently around the base of the plant.
2. Carefully lift the plant to avoid damaging corms and cormels.
3. Cut off the foliage and separate the main corm from the cormels
4. Sort and clean corms by removing soil and decayed parts
Mechanical Harvesting Rarely used due to uneven soil and the delicate nature of
corms. Requires machinery adapted for root crops (e.g., potato diggers).
YIELD......
Average yield: 10–25
tons per hectare,
depending on
variety, soil fertility
and management.
POST-HARVEST HANDLING:
Xanthosoma is a tropical root crop valued for its edible corms and
leaves. Proper post-harvest handling is essential to maintain quality,
reduce losses, and ensure marketability
1. Field Cleaning and Preparation
Cleaning: Shake off loose soil immediately after [Link] soil is sticky, rinse gently
with clean water .Do not soak, as water retention can promote microbial decay.
Trimming: Cut off leaf stalks (petioles) close to the [Link] hairy roots and
[Link] not damage the skin during trimming.
2. Curing (Wound Healing Process)
Purpose :Helps to heal surface [Link] suberization (formation of protective
layers), preventing rot.
Process :Place corms in a well-aerated, shaded area (not under direct sunlight).
Ideal curing conditions:Temperature: 30–35°C (86–95°F)Relative Humidity: 85–
95%Duration: 5 to 7 days.
Note: This step is especially important if the crop is to be stored for extended
[Link] and Sorting:
Grading Criteria:Size (large, medium, small)
Shape and uniformity
Health (absence of rot, cuts, or pests)
Sorting:
Separate Marketable corms (clean, undamaged,
mature)
Substandard corms (damaged, small, diseased —
can be used for processing or animal feed)
[Link]
Materials:Ventilated baskets, plastic crates, or jute
[Link] polyethylene bags (they trap moisture
and promote spoilage).
Cushioning:Use banana leaves, straw, or dry leaves
to cushion corms during transport
5. Storage:
Short-Term Storage: (1–2 weeks):Store in a cool, dry, and shaded [Link] ventilation
to prevent moisture buildup.
Long-Term Storage:
Ideal Conditions: Temperature: 15–20°
Relative humidity:70-80%
Ventilation: Ensure free air circulated Transportation:
6. Transportation:
Transport as soon as possible after [Link] well-ventilated vehicles.
Avoid overloading and stacking too high, as pressure bruises the lower [Link]
during cooler times of day (early morning or late afternoon).
PROCESSING OF COCOYAM:
► Xanthosoma, or cocoyam, processing primarily involves preparing its corms and leaves for human
consumption. Corms can be boiled, fried, or processed into flour, while leaves are often cooked and used in
various dishes.
Processing Methods:
Corms:
Cooking:Corms can be boiled, fried, or roasted, similar to potatoes.
Flour: Corms are often peeled, sliced, and dried before being ground into flour.
Starch Extraction:Starch can also be extracted from the corms.
Leaves:
Cooking: Young, unfolded leaves are often boiled and used like spinach or
in soups, stews, and other dishes.
Drying: Corms can be dried using various methods like sun-drying, solar drying, or air-
oven drying to extend shelf life.
Milling: Dried corms are often milled into flour using attrition mills or other methods.
Freezing: Cormels can be peeled and frozen in consumer packs as a ready-to-cook food.
Biodegradable Plastics: Corms can be used in the production of biodegradable plastics.
VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS:
[Link] Flour
2. Cocoyam Chips (Crisps)
3. Cocoyam Fufu Powder
4. Cocoyam Starch
5. Cocoyam Noodles / Pasta
6. Frozen Boiled Cocoyam
7. Cocoyam Mash / Puree
INSECTS AND PESTS OF
[Link][COCOYAM]:
Cocoyam Root Beetles – Bore into corms and roots, causing internal rot.
2. Taro Leafhoppers – Suck sap from leaves, leading to yellowing and stunted growth.
3. Spider Mites – Feed on leaf undersides, causing yellow spots and leaf drop.
4. Armyworms – Chew leaves and can cause defoliation.
TARO LEAFHOPPER
COCOYAM ROOT BEETLE
SPIDER MITES
ARMYWORM
5. Cutworms – Cut young plants at the base, damaging
seedlings.
6. Whiteflies – Suck sap and transmit viral diseases.
7. Aphids – Cluster on young shoots, weakening the plant and
spreading viruses.
8. Mealybugs – Suck sap, causing curling and stunting.
9. Snails and Slugs – Feed on tender leaves, leaving holes.
10. Termites – Attack underground stems and stored corms
CUTWORM
MEALY BUGS