Common Name: Ahipa

General Information

Pachyrhizus ahipa is an erect to twining, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a tuberous rootstock. Erect forms are generally 15 - 60cm tall, whilst twining forms can produce stems up to 200cm long that either scramble over the ground or climb into the surrounding vegetation[]
The plant is often cultivated for its edible root, which can be sold in local and national markets.

Known Hazards

The seed and green parts of the plant contain an insecticide (probably rotenone) and might be poisonous to people[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild situation.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Pachyrhizus ahipa succeeds in tropical to subtropical climates, the plant can be found at elevations from sea level to 3,000 metre[]s. At the higher elevations, plants can experience a diurnal temperature range that can fall to 0°c at night and rie to 35°c in the day[]. It grows best in areas where the mean temperature ranges from a minimum of 12°c to a maximum of 22°c, though it can tolerate 10 - 30°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 800 - 1,200mm, though it will tolerate 750 - 1,250mm with a dry season of up to 8 months[418[]].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a fertile, well-drained, sandy to loamy soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, though it can tolerate 5 - 8[]. The plant is drought tolerant, but good tuber production requires moist growing conditions[].
This species is generally considered to be daylength-neutral, making it suitable for growing in areas outside the tropics so long as the growing season is long enough[, ]. It has produced good yields when grown in a greenhouse in Denmark[].
The plant begins flowering about 75 days after planting and harvest takes place after 150 - 180 days[, ].
Unless being grown for seed production, plants are normally prevented from flowering since this increases tuber size[].
Annual yields at moderate elevations in the Bolivian Andes can be 8 - 30 tonnes per hectare[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Root - raw or cooked[]. Thirst quenching and nutritious with an easily digested starch[]. The root is slow to discolour and remains crisp after slicing so it is often used in green and in fruit salads[]. Often treated more as a fruit than a root crop, it can be eaten as a refreshing snack and can also be crushed and made into a pleasant-tasting juice[]. The turnip-shaped root can be 6 - 8cm in diameter and 10 - 15cm long, each root weighing between 500 - 1,500g at harvest[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The plant contains rotenone, the active ingredient in the insecticide 'derris', and it has the potential to be used as an insecticide[]. Derris is a relatively safe insecticide in that it does not affect warm-blooded animals and also breaks down into harmless substances with 24 hours of being used. It does, however, kill some beneficial insects and is also toxic to fish and amphibians[].

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a warm greenhouse. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots of rich soil and grow them on fast. Plant them out after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection, such as a cloche, until they are growing away well.
Division of the root tubers in the autumn. Store the roots in a cool but frost-free place over the winter, planting them into pots in the greenhouse in early spring and planting them out after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection, such as a cloche, until they are growing away well.
Cuttings.