Eleocharis dulcis

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"Chinese water chestnut" redirects here. Not to be confused with
Water chestnut
.

Chinese water chestnut
Illustration c. 1880[1]

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Cyperaceae
Genus: Eleocharis
Species:
E. dulcis
Binomial name
Eleocharis dulcis
Synonyms
  • Eleocharis equisetina
  • Eleocharis indica
  • Eleocharis plantaginea,
  • Eleocharis plantaginoides
  • Eleocharis tuberosa
  • Eleocharis tumida
  • and several more
Eleocharis dulcis
Hanyu Pinyin
bíqí
IPA[pǐ.tɕʰǐ]
Cantonese nameTraditional Chinese馬蹄Simplified Chinese马蹄
Chinese water chestnut
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy406 kJ (97 kcal)
23.94 g
Sugars4.8 g
Dietary fiber3 g
0.1 g
1.4 g
Niacin (B3)
6%
1 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)
10%
0.479 mg
Vitamin B6
19%
0.328 mg
Folate (B9)
4%
16 μg
Vitamin C
4%
4 mg
Vitamin E
8%
1.2 mg
MineralsQuantity
%DV†
Calcium
1%
11 mg
Iron
0%
0.06 mg
Magnesium
5%
22 mg
Manganese
14%
0.331 mg
Phosphorus
5%
63 mg
Potassium
19%
584 mg
Zinc
5%
0.5 mg
Other constituentsQuantity
Water73.5 g
Link to USDA Database entry
†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[3] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[4]

Eleocharis dulcis, the Chinese water chestnut or water chestnut, is a grass-like sedge native to Asia, tropical Africa, and Oceania.[5] It is grown in many countries for its edible corms.[6]

The water chestnut is not a

marshes, under water, or in mud. It has stem-like, tubular green leaves that grow to about 1.5 m (5 ft). The water caltrop
, which also is referred to by the same name, is unrelated and often confused with the water chestnut.

The small, rounded corms have a crisp, white flesh and may be eaten raw, slightly boiled, or grilled, and often are

spurge nettle root.[8] The corms contain the antibiotic agent puchiin,[9][10] which is stable to high temperature.[11] Apart from the edible corms, the leaves can be used for cattlefeed, mulch or compost.[12]

If eaten uncooked, the surface of the plants may transmit fasciolopsiasis.[13]

Ecology

In the dry season of the Northern Territory in Australia, magpie geese eat the bulbs of water chestnuts, allowing them to put on fat for the wet season and ensuring they are ready for breeding. In the wet season, water chestnut leaves are used to build their floating nests.[14]

Nutrition

Raw water chestnuts are 74% water, 24%

Daily Value, DV) in vitamin B6 (25% DV), and contain moderate amounts of other B vitamins, manganese, and potassium
(10% to 17% DV, table).

Uses

Culinary

Corm of Eleocharis dulcis

Raw water chestnuts are slightly sweet and crunchy. Boiled water chestnuts have a firm and slightly crunchy texture, with a mild and slightly nutty flavor that may easily be overpowered by seasonings or sauces with which the water chestnut is served or cooked. They may be combined with

sauteed vegetable dishes may contain water chestnuts, such as noodle or rice recipes.[15] They may also be added to minced-meat fillings and dishes, such as Cantonese dim sum-style steamed meatballs, to add a crunchy texture.[16] The Thai dessert thapthim krop, with water chestnuts as its main ingredient, was named one of the world's best 50 desserts in 2019 by CNN Travel.[17]

Agronomic properties

Cultivation

The crop can be cultivated in

sandy loam with pH 6.5 to 7.2.[20] The plant produces two types of subterranean rhizomes. Under long-daylength conditions, rhizomes grow horizontally and then turn upwards forming daughter plants. Under short-daylength conditions, the rhizomes grow downward and produce a corm at the tip.[9][18] The photoperiod also significantly influences how fast the corms grow. Corms begin to develop much more slowly if the photoperiod exceeds 12 hours.[21] The corms are also the propagating material.[18] Alternatively, transplants can be used.[19] Machinery, such as tractor-mounted vegetable planters, can be used for plantation.[18]

Plant nutrition

Nitrogen addition is beneficial for corm production, applying a dose before planting and another dose when corms begin to enlarge.[18] To further improve nutrient levels, potassium and phosphorus mineral fertilizers can be used before planting, where the N:P:K uptake ratio is 1:0.5:1.75.[18] Also organic mulch, especially mushroom compost, shows good results.[18]

Harvest

Once the corms turn dark brown, they should be harvested.[18] If left in the soil after this point in time, corms will get sweeter, however shelf life will decline.[18] The corms can be harvested using a modified gladiolus corm harvester once the paddy is drained.[19] Alternatively, a "water-suction harvester" can be used without the need to drain the paddy.[18] The corms have to be washed after harvest and brushed once they are dry.[19]

Yield

The per plant yield was described at 2.3 kg (5 lb 1 oz) per season (fresh matter).[12] In China, yields are reported between 20–40 t/ha (9–18 short ton/acre),[9] while in the United States a range between 47–85 t/ha (21–38 short ton/acre) has been mentioned.[12]

Storage

The harvested corms are best stored at 4 °C (39 °F). At this temperature, transpiration and thus weight loss are minimized.[18] This will also delay sprouting and minimize deterioration resulting from small injuries.[18] Corms should not be stored at temperatures above 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) as otherwise the corms will begin to sprout.[18] If the corms need to be stored longer term, they can also be kept in a bleach solution of 1000 ppm.[22]

Pests

Chinese water chestnut is usually not very prone to pests;

Water fowl may damage the stems and corms, especially when plants are young.[18] Similarly, rodents and grazing animals pose a threat to the Chinese water chestnut, which may be discouraged by keeping the paddy inundated.[18] Caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera) and other leaf-eating caterpillars also feed on the stems. However, unless complete defoliation below the waterline occurs, the plants can normally tolerate this damage.[18] Plant hoppers (Fulgoridae) and scale insects feed on plant sap and may cause subsequent death.[18] Other pests include the nematodes Ditylenchus and Dolichodorus heterocephalus.[9] Fungal species can also attack the Chinese water chestnut. In warmer climates, a rust is caused by Uromyces,[18] and Cylindrosporium eleocharidis causes stem blight.[23]

References

  1. ^ Francisco Manuel Blanco (O.S.A.) (c. 1880s). Flora de Filipinas [...] Gran edicion [...] [Atlas I].
  2. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T169077A1270989.en
    . Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  3. ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  4. PMID 30844154.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  5. ^ "Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  6. ^ Flora of China, Vol. 23 Page 191, 荸荠 biqi, Eleocharis dulcis (N. L. Burman) Trinius ex Henschel, Vita Rumphii. 186. 1833. efloras.org
  7. ^ Phenolics and phenolic-polysaccharide linkages in Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) cell walls. Grassby Terri, Doctoral thesis, 2008, University of East Anglia (link)
  8. ISBN 978-0-684-80001-1
    .
  9. ^ a b c d e f Kay, Daisy E.; Gooding, E. G. B. (1987). Crop and Product Digest No.2 - Root Crops, 2nd Edition. London: Trop.Dev. Res. Inst.
  10. S2CID 23026535
    .
  11. ^ Hao, Shu-xian; Liu, Xin; Zhao, Li-chao; Chen, Yong-quan (2005). "Study on the Effects of Puchiin Extract Antimicrobial Roperties". Food Science. Archived from the original on 2018-07-19. Retrieved 2016-12-04.
  12. ^ a b c Morton, J.F.; Sanchez, C.A.; Snyder, G.H. (1988). "Chinese waterchestnut in florida - past, present, and future" (PDF). Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc (101): 139–144. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  13. PMID 12583425
    .
  14. ^ ECOS: Indigenous icon at risk from sea level rise. Archived 2019-02-28 at the Wayback Machine Blogs, CSIRO. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  15. ISBN 978-1-931686-80-8
    .
  16. ^ Chinese Cooking Demystified (23 April 2019). Cantonese Meatballs, Dim Sum-style (陈皮牛肉球). YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  17. ^ Smith, Jen Rose (4 June 2019). "50 of the world's best desserts". CNN Travel. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Kleinhenz, Volker; Lodge, Geoff; Midmore, David (2001). "A Grower's Guide to Cultivating Chinese Waterchestnut in Australia". Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Chinese water chestnuts in Western Australia". Department of Agriculture and Food. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  20. ^ "Waterchestnuts Growing Information". greenharvest.com.au/. greenharvest.com.au/. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  21. S2CID 84089179
    .
  22. doi:10.17660/ActaHortic.1977.62.15
    .
  23. ISBN 9788183211970
    .

External links

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