Effect of Plant Density on Yield and Quality of Mesona (Mesona procumbens Hemsel.)

為瞭解栽培密度對仙草產量與品質之影響，本試驗以匍匐型品系TYY3及半直立型品系TYY4為材料，於1995及1996年於桃園區農業改良場進行試驗，栽培密度採140×30、140×60、140×90及140×120公分等四種處理。1995年試驗的結果，TYY3及TYY4品系均以140×60公分處理的仙草乾株產量最高，TYY3品系之凝膠強度有隨栽培密度增加而增加的趨勢，而TYY4品系之凝膠強度在各種栽培密度間差異不大。1996年試驗的結果，TYY3品系以140×60及140×90公分處理的仙草乾株產量較高，TYY4品系以140×60公分處理的仙草乾株產量最高。 The purpose of this experiment was to realize the appropriate plant density of mesona. The expeiments were conducted during April and October in 1995 and 1996 at Taoyuan District Agricultural Improvement Station. Two new lines, TYY3 and TYY4, were used as materials, Four plant densities 140×30, 140×60, 140×90 and 140×120 cm were adopted. Both lines showed that plant density in 140×60cm got the highest yield of stem and leaf, the gel strength of TYY3 increased as plant density increased and that of TYY4 were not significantly different among four plant densities in 1995. However, In 1996, TYY3 in 140×60 cm and 140×90 cm gained higher yield, TYY4 in 140×60cm showed the highest yield of stem and leaf

The Improvement of Cultural Practice for Sweet Potato production

影響甘藷產量及品質的因子，可分為人為和自然因子兩類，人為因子為品種、栽培技術及輪作制度。自然因子為氣候、土壤生產力和肥力等。選用適地適作已經推廣栽培的優良品種，並針對該優良品種的特性，配合適當的栽培管理方法，如採用優良藷苗、適當插植時期和方法、合理的種植密度、適量適時的施肥、適度適時的灌溉，適時防治病蟲害及適時培土等，這些都是提高甘藷質和量生產的重要條件。目前由於農村耕作勞力的不足，運用現有可行的適當農機具，使生產過程中重要的栽培作業，達到機械化，也是增加生產利益的重要工作，在計畫生產時，必須注意不同季節和不同用途之產品市場的需求情形，做好產期調節，才能達成生產的好處。甘藷有良好的營養價值，然而如何使其生產和利用相互結合，是應加以重視的問題。 Factors affecting the yield and quality of sweet potato can be classified into two groups; those factors originated from the nature include climate, soil productivety and fertility, and the prevalence of insects and diseases. Impacts from the human beings include varietal performance, cultural practices, and other measures such as capital investment and consumers¡¦ preference. The enhancement in yield and quality of any crop can be achieved by developing varieties capable of matching the environmental conditions under appropriate cultural practices. For sweet potato, major concerns related to cultural practices include the selection of high quality vine cuttings and the optimum decision in planting time, planting method, planting density, fertilization, irrigation, soil banking, and insect and disease management. Due to the shortage of farm labor, the development of mechanization, especially for planting and harvesting, is also essential to the successful production of sweet potato. In order to increase farmers’ profit, the adjustment of harvest time to meet market demand should be considered. Sweet potato is a better diet as compared to rice in terms of its higher nutritional value and dietary fiber content and lower calorie content. Studies are needed to expand its utilization and to develop modern processing techniques in order to facilitate the production of this important food crop