32 could readily become a specialty crop. As the common name, traveller’s delight, suggests the tuber produced by this vine was very appetizing and it used to be consumed by the American Indian tribes. It can be eaten raw or cooked and it has been compared in flavour to the sweet potato or to a regular roasted potato. For better storage and for better integration in different dishes, it can be made into a fine powder, which can be easily added and mixed with other foods. Like its relative, Apios americana, it fell into disuse shortly after the arrival of the colonists. This was due to the decimation of Native Indian populations who undoubtedly were familiar with this plant, the preconception that the colonists’ culinary habits and traditional foods were “better” and also habitat destruction. Forestry exploitation and application of herbicides have greatly reduced its numbers. Today, the distribution of the plant is restricted to five states in the USA – Alabama, Tennessee, Illinois, Mississippi and Kentucky. Another common characteristic with Apios americana is its nitrogenfixing properties, which reduces the need for fertilizer application. Unlike Apios americana, which produces a sequence of tubers, Apios priceana presents only one tuber at maturity, but this tuber is significantly larger in size, reaching approximately 18cm in diameter. Thanks to the savoury taste and the size of its tuber, Apios priceana has potential as a food source, although it is not as high in protein content (Apios priceana -7% protein; Apios americana 16%) and essential fatty acids as Apios americana. On the positive side, the size of the tuber is interesting for breeding programmes oriented toward the improvement of other Apios species Conditions for growth Price’s potato-bean does best in moist but well-drained soils. It grows well in alkaline soils but can also tolerate moderately acid ones. It thrives in partially shaded areas and even in full sun. The propagation can be done either by seed or by tuber. Seed scarification is necessary and it is recommended to shelter the seedlings in a greenhouse during their first winter. Transplanting into the field should be done in late spring or early summer. The flowers are hermaphrodite and pollination is easily realized with insects. The fruiting season is the end of summer-beginning of fall. For best quality yields, it is advisable to implement a support system for the vines. There are no estimates of productivity per hectare because this plant has never been commercially cultivated. Apios priceana cultures could be affected by spider mites, powdery mildew virus, nematodes, etc, but it is generally considered resistant to pests. Pagina 41
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