Wild sweet potato is a wild plant that combines edible, medicinal, and greening properties. Both its fruits and whole plant can be used medicinally. Wild sweet potato fruits can be eaten directly, and crushing the whole plant and applying it externally can also have a good hemostatic effect. Let's now take a look at the efficacy and functions of wild sweet potato.
Nutritional Value of Wild Sweet Potato
Wild sweet potato has a greenish color when young and a pale red color when ripe. It is fragrant and sweet like honey. As a nutritious and health-promoting fruit, it can be eaten fresh or processed into dried fruit.
Data shows that its protein content is higher than that of figs, and the types of amino acids in the protein are more reasonable. Among them, the content of three anti-fatigue branched-chain amino acids accounts for about 29% of the total amino acids, which has a good health effect on the human body.
Its dietary fiber, carbohydrates, and carotene content are higher than that of apples, cherries, and citrus fruits, making it a fruit with rich nutritional content.
Wild sweet potato is harvested during the fruit ripening period (June to October) after the Dragon Boat Festival. Even if it is more than 20 meters away from the wild sweet potato, the fragrance is still strong and pleasant, hence the name "fragrance all over the ground".
The price of wild sweet potato is around 20-35 yuan per kilogram, and it can even be sold for 90 yuan per kilogram on shopping websites. The fruit can be made into jam, juice, etc.
The special effect of wild sweet potato in preventing sand and solidifying soil is unmatched by other plants. It can be called the best in sand prevention and soil solidification. It can be intercropped with economic trees and has the potential value of being developed into a garden greening plant.
Cultivation Methods of Wild Sweet Potato
Wild sweet potato has the characteristics of cold resistance, drought resistance, shade tolerance, barren resistance, and water tolerance. Even if it is planted in sandy or stone crevices where no grass can grow, it will grow luxuriantly and lush green.
Wild sweet potato is harvested during the fruit ripening period (June to October) after the Dragon Boat Festival. Even if it is more than 20 meters away from the wild sweet potato, the fragrance is still strong and pleasant, hence the name "fragrance all over the ground".
The cultivation area of wild sweet potato is small, and the yield is low, mainly relying on natural growth. It has great potential for increasing production. Wild sweet potato can also be used for fruit cultivation and is suitable for intercropping in orchards, turning traditional single-season orchards into dual-season orchards.
Wild sweet potato is very easy to propagate. In practical production, it is often propagated by cuttings. The best period for cutting propagation is from early March to early April, when the temperature rises. Take 1-year-old branches, 10-15 centimeters long, and the cutting substrate can be any fine sand or loam.
During the seedling stage of wild sweet potato, attention should be paid to watering and weeding. It has strong resistance to adversity and is suitable for extensive management. After planting, there is no need to frequently change or regularly trim artificially.
