Wednesday, January 25, 2012

CHINESE POTATO (KOORKA KIZHANGU)





 
COMMON NAME:- CHINESE POTATO

OTHER NAMES: -    Sudan potato,
                                 Madagascar potato,
                                 Hausa potato,      
                                 Kentang dwaja,
                                 Ratala,  
                                 Country-potato.

SCINTIFIC NAME: - COLEUS PARVYFLORIS

MALAYALAM NAME: - KOORKA,

                                     Chivakizhnagu

                                      Chinese potato (Koorka) is a herb with creeping, succulent stems and aromatic leaves, producing tubers in clusters at the base of the stems. The tubers are round, dark brown or black and aromatic. The tubers are used in the same way as potatoes. It is considered as native of India.




 Nutritive Value:-

Starch-         20%
Protein-        0.3%
Sugar-           0.95%
100g dry weight of Chinese potato  contains
Energy-               390 K cal.
Carbohydrate-     90%
Protein-               1.5%
Fat-                      1%
Vitamin. C-           4.7mg
Calcium-              60 mg
Iron-                     7.2 mg       



 Method of Cultivation :-

 Chinese potato is normally cultivated in Kerala during the months of July and August.  It is cultivated widely in  in paddy fields and low-lying areas where water is available. Tubers may be harvested 120-180 days from planting.
Vine cuttings are commonly used for propagation. It is collected from top portion of the plants after 3-4 weeks of planting. Nursery should be raised before one month of planting. Select well drained and medium fertile  area for  planting  seed tubers .It  should be planted at a spacing of 15 cm in the  raised beds of 60-90 cm width. After one month vine cutting selected from the nursery on ridges of raised earth at an spacing of 30 cm apart. Undertake weeding and earthing up to 45 days after planting. Cover portion of the vine with soil to promote tuber formation.
About an yields of 3.7-7.5 t/ha of tubers have been recorded.


Food Value:-

Chinese potato can be used as a substitute to potato usually cooked as a curry or fried with spices in oil.

22 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this, very well written...

Anonymous said...

Are leaves edible?

manu nair said...

Leaves of chinese potato is not used as food.
Plant with similar leaves "Pani koorka"(Coleus aromaticus) is edible.

Unknown said...

I planted koorka on a whim and it is doing nicely. I plan on harvesting in Dec. How do I save the vines for replanting next June? How many years can I replant in the same spot? Thanks for all the help

manu nair said...

You may keep few tubers for planting next june. Always give preference for Crop rotation and yield may vary with the fertility of the soil.

Anonymous said...

How do we know when koorkha is ready for harvest?

Appreciate your effort in conservation.

manu nair said...

Leaves and stem became yellowish and tubers can be seen projected over the stem.


Unknown said...

Can it be planted in grow bags now(january)?

manu nair said...

Yes,If there is watering facility, it can be planted at any time.

Anonymous said...

Can I plant this as a potted indoor plant in Canada and still get harvest?

Unknown said...

The post was useful , trying to grow Chinese potato in my farm .

Unknown said...

V need to dry it after harvesting or can cook directly?

manu nair said...

There is no need to dry it,It can cook directly.

Unknown said...

Is koorka available in any market in Lekki/Lagos Nigeria?

Anonymous said...

The leaf of my plants is turning pinkish . no flower yet , Am i doing any mistake or is it natural

manu nair said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
manu nair said...

I think color change is not a problem and flowering is not compulsory for getting yield.

Unknown said...

Leaves are not edible.

Unknown said...

Dear Manu

How long can I store the tubers for. I harvested yesterday and would like to replant them for a much bigger crop next time. I am located on the Gold Coast Australia and we are about to go into winter.

manu nair said...

3-6 months

Unknown said...

KOORKA HELPING WEIGHTLOSS OR GAIN

manu nair said...

Weight gain