Editing Yerba mate (section)

==Cultivation==
[[File:Yerba-mate-misiones.JPG|thumb|Plantation in [[Misiones]], Argentina]]
The yerba mate plant is grown and processed in its native regions of South America, specifically in Paraguay, some parts of northern Argentina ([[Misiones Province|Misiones]]), Uruguay, and southern Brazil ([[Rio Grande do Sul]], [[Santa Catarina (state)|Santa Catarina]], [[Paraná (state)|Paraná]], and [[Mato Grosso do Sul]]). Cultivators are known as {{lang|es|yerbateros}} (Spanish) or {{lang|pt|ervateiros}} (Brazilian Portuguese).

Seeds used to germinate new plants are harvested after they have turned dark purple, typically from January to April. After harvest, they are submerged in water in order to eliminate floating non-viable seeds and detritus like twigs, leaves, etc. New plants are started between March and May. For plants established in pots, transplanting takes place April through September. Plants with bare roots are transplanted only during the months of June and July.<ref name="Yerba Mate Production">Burtnik, Oscar José, [http://www.inym.org.ar/inym/imagenes/Trabajos_Realizados/manual-produ.pdf "Yerba Mate Production"], 3rd Edition, 2006. Retrieved 24 May 2013.</ref>

Many of the natural enemies of yerba mate are difficult to control in plantation settings. Insect pests include ''[[Gyropsylla spegazziniana]]'', a [[Hemiptera|true bug]] that lays eggs in the branches; ''[[Hedyphates betulinus]]'', a [[Longhorn beetle|type of beetle]] that weakens the tree and makes it more susceptible to mold and mildew; ''[[Perigonia lusca]]'',<ref name="Yerba Mate Production" /><ref name="Moscardi-1999">{{cite journal | last=Moscardi | first=Flávio | title=Assessment of the Application of Baculoviruses for Control of Lepidoptera | journal=[[Annual Review of Entomology]] | publisher=[[Annual Reviews (publisher)|Annual Reviews]] | volume=44 | issue=1 | year=1999 | issn=0066-4170 | doi=10.1146/annurev.ento.44.1.257 | pages=257–289| pmid=15012374 }}</ref> a [[moth]] whose larvae eat the leaves; and several species of [[mite]]s.<ref name="Yerba Mate Production" /> ''P. lusca'' may be controlled with a [[nuclear polyhedrosis virus]] used as a [[biopesticide]]. This was first applied in 1992.<ref name="Moscardi-1999" />

When ''I. paraguariensis'' is harvested, the branches are often dried by a wood fire, imparting a [[Smoking (cooking)|smoky flavor]]. The strength of the flavor, caffeine levels, and other nutrients can vary depending on whether it is a male or female plant. Female plants tend to be milder in flavor and lower in caffeine. They are also relatively scarce in the areas where yerba mate is planted and cultivated.<ref name="nativayerbamate1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nativayerbamate/harvest.html|title=Nativa Yerba Mate|publisher=Native Yerba Mate|access-date=18 July 2011}}</ref>

According to [[FAO|Food and Agriculture Organization]] in 2012, Brazil is the biggest producer of mate in the world with 513,256 metric tonnes (MT) (58%), followed by Argentina with 290,000 MT (32%) and Paraguay with 85,490 MT (10%).<ref name="fao">{{cite web|url=http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx|title=FAOSTAT|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref><!-- Figures for unspecified year need updating, and FAO site has moved -->