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Posted on 6:54 PM by Wanto and filed under
By John Henry
Synonym is Allium cepa L. var. cepa.
Common names are Leek (Eng.); Poireau (Fr.); Puerro (Sp.); Breitlauch, Lauch, Porree (Ger.); Prei (Neth.); Kutsai, Kau Ts'ung, Taai Suen, Taai Ts'ung (Chin.); Kutsai (Philipp.).
In most areas, local cultivars have been selected, e.g. Bawku, grown in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
A cultigen, not known in the wild state, possibly originating in the Mediteraranean region from Allium ampeloprasum L. Diploid chromosome number: 217 = 32.
Tropical Asia (India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines); West Africa, (Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ivory Coast); Central and East Africa; tropical South America; the Caribbean.
A biennial herb, normally grown for its bulb as an annual and only carried forward into a second year when seeds are required. Bulb: truncate, formed from thickened leaf bases, outer layers thin and fibrous, inner layers without blades, up to 10 cm in diameter. Leaves: alternate, produced from a flattened, conical, basal stem, cylindrical, glaucous, becoming hollow. Flowers: borne on a scape, 30-100 cm in height, protected by a spathe; terminal umbels produce numerous cymes, each with 5-10 flowers; perianth segments 6, petalloid, green-white, ovate, up to 5 mm in length; stamens 6, alternating with perianth segments; ovary superior 3-locular, 2 ovules/loculus; style simple, becoming receptive after anther dehiscence. Fruit: a capsule, splitting longitudinally. Seeds: smooth, black, wrinkled when dry; embryo curved, germination epigeal; approximate weight of 100 seeds = 4 g.
Deeply cultivated soils, capable of moisture retention but well drained, are necessary. They should be well supplied with organic material and reserves of the major elements. Cool conditions favor optimum growth but large plants may be obtained in relatively high temperature conditions if well supplied with water. Day temperatures above 24 degree celcius may reduce the yield of some cultivars. Growth will continue during both dry and wet periods, providing that adequate soil moisture is available. Leeks are generally considered to have a high demand for soil water. Elevations of more than 700 m are preferable, particularly for non-adapted cultivars, but adequate yields may be obtained at sea level from local or specially selected cultivars. Flowers are rarely formed under short day length conditions.
Seeds are normally sown in containers and transplanted to prepared beds after about 45-60 days when seedlings are 8-12 cm in height. They may be planted in rows 30-38 cm apart, with 12-15 cm between plants, or on a square planting 15-22 cm X 15-22 cm. Alternatively, seeds are sown in drills 30 cm apart and thinned to 10-15 cm between plants, depending on the vigour of the cultivar.
Mature plants may be harvested 120-150 days from transplanting by which time they will have grown to 25-30 cm in length and have a diameter of 4-5 cm. Yield: Often variable, but average yields are estimated to be in the region of 20 t/ha. Seed production: Seeds are rarely produced in tropical regions, except at very high elevations, since long days and relatively low temperatures are required for flower initiation and flower stalk elongation.
The base of the stalks should be white and the upper part of the leaves should be turgid and green, with a white bloom. The basal end, which is the condensed stem, must be present; no flower stalks should have developed. Field heat may be removed by immersion in cold water. The upper portion of the leaves should be trimmed with a knife and the outer skin may be removed. Plants are tied in bunches for sale. At a storage temperature of 0C and a relative humidity of 90-95%, leeks may be stored for periods varying from 28-80 days. Wrapping in perforated film will delay wilting.
Bulbs are usually boiled, used in soups and stews, fried or eaten raw. The leaves are also used in salads, particularly of the Spring or Bunching Onion. In some tropical areas, onions have been selected for their dry matter yield and suitability for dehydration.
Common names are Leek (Eng.); Poireau (Fr.); Puerro (Sp.); Breitlauch, Lauch, Porree (Ger.); Prei (Neth.); Kutsai, Kau Ts'ung, Taai Suen, Taai Ts'ung (Chin.); Kutsai (Philipp.).
In most areas, local cultivars have been selected, e.g. Bawku, grown in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
A cultigen, not known in the wild state, possibly originating in the Mediteraranean region from Allium ampeloprasum L. Diploid chromosome number: 217 = 32.
Tropical Asia (India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines); West Africa, (Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ivory Coast); Central and East Africa; tropical South America; the Caribbean.
A biennial herb, normally grown for its bulb as an annual and only carried forward into a second year when seeds are required. Bulb: truncate, formed from thickened leaf bases, outer layers thin and fibrous, inner layers without blades, up to 10 cm in diameter. Leaves: alternate, produced from a flattened, conical, basal stem, cylindrical, glaucous, becoming hollow. Flowers: borne on a scape, 30-100 cm in height, protected by a spathe; terminal umbels produce numerous cymes, each with 5-10 flowers; perianth segments 6, petalloid, green-white, ovate, up to 5 mm in length; stamens 6, alternating with perianth segments; ovary superior 3-locular, 2 ovules/loculus; style simple, becoming receptive after anther dehiscence. Fruit: a capsule, splitting longitudinally. Seeds: smooth, black, wrinkled when dry; embryo curved, germination epigeal; approximate weight of 100 seeds = 4 g.
Deeply cultivated soils, capable of moisture retention but well drained, are necessary. They should be well supplied with organic material and reserves of the major elements. Cool conditions favor optimum growth but large plants may be obtained in relatively high temperature conditions if well supplied with water. Day temperatures above 24 degree celcius may reduce the yield of some cultivars. Growth will continue during both dry and wet periods, providing that adequate soil moisture is available. Leeks are generally considered to have a high demand for soil water. Elevations of more than 700 m are preferable, particularly for non-adapted cultivars, but adequate yields may be obtained at sea level from local or specially selected cultivars. Flowers are rarely formed under short day length conditions.
Seeds are normally sown in containers and transplanted to prepared beds after about 45-60 days when seedlings are 8-12 cm in height. They may be planted in rows 30-38 cm apart, with 12-15 cm between plants, or on a square planting 15-22 cm X 15-22 cm. Alternatively, seeds are sown in drills 30 cm apart and thinned to 10-15 cm between plants, depending on the vigour of the cultivar.
Mature plants may be harvested 120-150 days from transplanting by which time they will have grown to 25-30 cm in length and have a diameter of 4-5 cm. Yield: Often variable, but average yields are estimated to be in the region of 20 t/ha. Seed production: Seeds are rarely produced in tropical regions, except at very high elevations, since long days and relatively low temperatures are required for flower initiation and flower stalk elongation.
The base of the stalks should be white and the upper part of the leaves should be turgid and green, with a white bloom. The basal end, which is the condensed stem, must be present; no flower stalks should have developed. Field heat may be removed by immersion in cold water. The upper portion of the leaves should be trimmed with a knife and the outer skin may be removed. Plants are tied in bunches for sale. At a storage temperature of 0C and a relative humidity of 90-95%, leeks may be stored for periods varying from 28-80 days. Wrapping in perforated film will delay wilting.
Bulbs are usually boiled, used in soups and stews, fried or eaten raw. The leaves are also used in salads, particularly of the Spring or Bunching Onion. In some tropical areas, onions have been selected for their dry matter yield and suitability for dehydration.
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