Maragenasu- Kappa-Topioca

Collected By:  Shanmukha Katta - Agriculture Desk

One Of  the important root crops in tropical cultivation is Topioca or Manihot esculenta (Manihot utilissima) From early times it was grown and its edible root has been a staple food of people in many countries. The tuberous roots are long with a milky juice. The roots also yield a valuable starch. There is a poison (prussic acid) in the roots and it can be eliminated by boiling or roasting.

The plant is originally from tropical America and the Portuguese were responsible for spreading it to eastern countries in the 17th century.

Tapioca is suitable for cultivation up to an altitude of 1000m. The plant is drought resistant and is easy to grow. It prefers a deep rich friable soil. Tapioca stem cuttings of 30cms long can be planted 90cms apart in 1 to 1 ½ distant rows. Tubers are ready for lifting in 9-12 months.

Repeated cultivation of Tapioca exhausts the soil and it cannot be grown profitably for more than three successive years in the same ground.

A Manihot esculenta plant in rows with their green long stalked leaves and whitish branches is an attractive sight. A few plants can be planted in large gardens in the vegetable section of the garden.

Vegetable patches generally cannot be kept fully green throughout the year. A few specimens of the shrubby Tapioca can be planted to reduce the empty look.

The plant as a cash crop is popular in Kerala and southern parts of Tamil Nadu. It is called `marakizhangu' or `kappa' in Malayalam and `maravallikizhangu' in Tamil. The plant belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. (`Karrapendalamu' in Telugu, `maragenasu' in Kannada).Topioca is used in puddings, biscuits and confectionary items. Cassava starch is used in laundering and in some industrial products. Beer and other alcoholic drinks are also made from cassava.

The palmately divided fresh green leaves of the plant are beautifully variegated yellow along the veins. They have a striking appearance when the plant is planted in the generally green-leagued shrubbery. The plant is not grown for tubers but for the leaves.

Variegated Tapioca plant can be planted singly or in a small group on the ground. It can also be planted singly in large pots. Potted plants do not reach their normal height of 2-2 ½ m. The plants are drought resistant and are sun-loving.

Beautiful M.E. variegates are planted as wayside trees in front of houses in East Marredpally