Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
while bamboo is adapted primarily to tropical climates, although it can be found in sub-
tropical climates, as shown in Table 4.6.
4.10.2 Importance in Human Nutrition
As seen in Figure 4.20, bamboo shoots contain the most calories and carbohydrates,
while asparagus and rhubarb have about the same calorie content with asparagus a
little less carbohydrate than rhubarb. All have significant fiber contents and insignifi-
cant fat content, which is between 0.1 and 0.3 percent, being highest for bamboo and
lowest for asparagus.
4.10.3 Soil Preparation
Soil preparation for petiole and stem vegetables is variable because of the different
growth characteristics of these plants. Asparagus, rhubarb, and bamboo grow from pre-
viously established roots and so are not planted every year, but the edible part is har-
vested from established, long-term, root systems. Celery on the other hand is grown
from seed much as other crops in this chapter. As with other crops application of
organic
matter,
fertilizer,
and
maintaining
soil
pH
are
important
in
obtaining
maximum production.
Figure
4.20.
Nutrient content of petiole and stem vegetables. (From data in USDA National
Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 17. http:
//
www.nal.usda.gov
/
fnic
/
food-
comp
/
Data
/
SR17
/
reports
/
sr17page.htm.)
