Corm Length Research Articles

Morphological Evaluation of Locally Available Cultivated Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Cultivars for Growth and Yield Attributes in Kokrajhar, Assam, India

Taro probably is one of the world’s oldest crop and important crop species in the district but its cultivation and consumption still lie within the less privileged farmers in Kokrajhar district of Assam, India. It is cultivated for its tubers, tender leaves and inflorescence. It is also observed that several morphological types are found in upland and hilly slopes of the district, but their identification and morphological studies are not very clear, and their agronomic potentiality further needs to be analysed. Under such situations, a study has been taken to evaluate all the local varieties namely Pehle, Abor, Daomasar, Deraduma and Tharun gubwi in terms of yield and other agronomic parameters for proper documentation of genetic diversity and differentiation in the district. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The study was conducted in Debitola and Kachugaon blocks of Kokrajhar district. The results indicated significant differences for all the characteristics studied. ‘Tharun gubwi’ recorded highest value for plant height (134.4cm), leaf size (2244.0 cm2), corm breadth (8.10cm), average corm weight (2036.00g) and average yield (2248.33g/plant). Petiole length was recorded highest in Cv. Deraduma (95.23 cm). Cv. Daomasar was recorded with maximum plant spread of 144.5 cm and numbers of side shoots (5.67 nos.). Highest corm length (20.23cm), cormel length (13.24cm) and cormel weight (98.25g) was recorded maximum in Cv. Abor. Results revealed that all these local cultivars have good agronomic importance therefore, various developmental programmes are need to be undertaken for popularizing it to every corner of the state and country

Effects of Watering Regimes and Planting Density on Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Growth, Yield, and Yield Components in Embu, Kenya

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) is one of the most underutilized crops in sub-Saharan Africa and an important staple food in the tropics. Understanding its growth response under selected watering regimes and planting densities underpins this research. A study was conducted at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Embu Research Centre, during the long rains (LR) in 2021 and the short rains (SR) in 2021–2022. A factorial experiment with a split-plot layout arranged in a completely randomized block design was used. The main factor was the irrigation levels, while the subfactor was the planting density, with three replications. The three irrigation levels were at 100%, 60%, and 30% based on the field capacity (FC). The planting densities used were 0.5 m × 0.5 m (40,000 plants ha−1), 1 m × 0.5 m (20,000 plants ha−1), and 1 m × 1 m (10,000 plants ha−1), representative of high, medium, and low planting densities, respectively. Time and season ( P < 0.05 ) significantly influenced taro growth components (plant height, leaf area, leaf area index, and vegetative growth index) and yield components (corm length, corm diameter, corm mass, yield, and total biomass). Planting density influenced the leaf area and the leaf area index ( P < 0.05 ). The watering regime did not affect taro growth or yield components. Corm mass (0.59 kg), total biomass (49.8 t/ha), and yield (13.38 t/ha) were all the highest in the 30% FC. The 1 m × 0.5 m spacing produced the highest corm mass (0.62 kg). The high planting density (0.5 m × 0.5 m) resulted in the highest total biomass (70.2 t/ha), yield (20.84 t/ha), and harvest index (30.44%). As a result, the 0.5 m × 0.5 m planting density and 30% FC watering regime are recommended to farmers in the area for increased yields and food security.

Effect of Corm and Soil Treatments with Organic Liquid Formulations on Performance of Elephant Foot Yam in Jharkhand, India

A field experiment was carried out at the farm of Divyayan Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Morabadi, Ranchi during kharif season of 2022 with 10 treatments (T1: control or no treatment, T2: Corm treatment with Beej Sanjeevani, T3: Corm treatment with Beejamrit, T4: Soil application of Jiwamrit, T5: Soil application of Panchagavya, T6: Soil application of Jiwamrit + Panchagavya, T7: Corm treatment with Beej Sanjeevani + soil application of Jiwamrit, T8: Corm treatment with Beej Sanjeevani + soil application of Panchagavya, T9: Corm treatment with Beejamrit + soil application of Jiwamrit, T10: Corm treatment with Beejamrit + soil application of Panchagavya) placed in three times replicated randomized block design to study the growth, yield and production economics of elephant foot yam under uses of organic corm and soil treatments. Results revealed that corm treatment with Beejamrit + soil application of Jiwamrit resulted in higher growth attributes, corm length (23.3 cm), dimeter (26.9 cm) and yield (32.8 t/ha). This corm + soil treatment also recorded the highest gross return (INR.2,62,400/ha), net return (INR.1,69,189/ha) and B:C (2.82). It also increased soil microbial population dynamics especially total bacteria (69.7 CFU × 106/g of soil).

The Assessment of Morphological Diversity of Colchicum luteum L., an Economically Important Threatened Medicinal Plant of Kashmir Himalaya

Colchicum luteum L. is an economically important and endangered medicinal plant of the Kashmir Himalaya. The corm extract is used for the treatment of rheumatism, gout, Behcet’s syndrome, and Alzheimer disease. It is also used extensively in plant breeding programs for the doubling of chromosomes. The present study was carried out for two years (2017–2019) to study the genetic diversity of C. luteum, an economically important and endangered medicinal plant of Kashmir Himalaya. The mapping of genetic diversity of C. luteum was estimated using Mahalanobis D2 analysis in the Aharbal (Kulgam), Dhara (Theed), and Baera Baal Hills (Harwan) of Kashmir Valley. The results showed the presence of 5 clusters for 30 populations. There were 17 populations in cluster-1, 1 in cluster-2, 2 in cluster-3, 3 in cluster-4, and 7 in cluster-5. The majority of the population was a group in cluster-1 followed by cluster-5. The maximum intracluster distance (D2 values) was observed in cluster-5 (46.55588) followed by cluster-3 (41.61871), and the maximum inter-cluster distance (D2 values) was observed in cluster-3 (46.55588) followed by cluster-5 (41.61871). Our study revealed that plant species possessed sufficient genetic diversity among the populations. Cluster-5 showed superiority in plant−1 respect of the maximum mean plant height (28.46 cm), leaf area (47.0 cm2), number of seeds plant−1 (26.85), corm length (5.15 cm), corm width (3.17 cm), fresh weight of corm plant (6.87 g), and dry weight of corm plant (4.81 g) as compared to other clusters. Out of five clusters, cluster-5 is a promising one for better yield and yield attributing traits. The present study revealed that plant species possessed sufficient genetic diversity among the populations as 30 populations were arranged into 5 clusters. Therefore, cluster-5, consisting of seven populations from the undisturbed area of Harwan, and consequently the populations from the same cluster can be multiplied for initiating a conservation and breeding program and can serve as a tool for the scientific community to evolve better contemporary varieties of C. luteum with profitable characters such as more yield of corms, etc. This will assist farmers, particularly the marginal farmers, to alleviate their income.

Breeding potential of acrid elephant foot yam genotypes for yield and nutritional quality using multivariate analysis

Acrid genotypes (var. sylvestris) of elephant foot yam [Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson syn. A. campanulatus (Roxb.) BL. Ex Dence] are consumed in spite of non-acrid (var. hortensis) types being available, due to their specific flavor, color and taste. Acrid genotypes need to be evaluated for yield and nutrition related characters for selection of desirable food and nutrition content. Genotypes variability was evaluated for yield related traits. Pseudo-stem diameter, number of leaflets, corm volume and corm yield per plant had high genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean indicating selection would bring improvement in these traits. The top priority should be given to selection based on corm volume, canopy spread and corm width for yield improvement and could be considered while formulating selection indices in the improvement of elephant foot yam. Principal components of most variable traits, pseudo-stem diameter, canopy spread, number of leaflets, corm length, corm width, corm volume and corm yield per plant had eigen values >1 and accounting for 92.82 % of total variation among eleven genotypes. The cophenetic correlation coefficient of dendrogram (0.733) was very close to 1, indicating clustering was good. Based on average performance, genotypes ACC-85 and ACC-136 were found promising for corm yield and carbohydrate, potassium, iron, and zinc contents. The outcome of the study will be helpful for breeders in selection of such genotypes for development of nutritionally rich and high yielding varieties.

Evaluation of improved taro (Colocasia esculenta(L.) Schott) genotypes on growth and yield performance in North-Bench woreda of Bench-Sheko zone, South-Western Ethiopia

Taro is the world's fourth most important root crop in terms of production by weight, behind cassava, potato, and sweet potato, and the second most significant staple root crop in terms of consumption, after sweet potato. However, a shortage of well-adapted cultivars is one of the production problems that contribute to low yields and small planted areas across the country. As a result, genotypes with high production potential and adaptability for local environmental circumstances must be evaluated. During the 2018 and 2019 main cropping seasons, field experiments were done in the North-Bench woreda in the Bench-Sheko zone, south-western Ethiopia, to improve taro production and productivity by evaluating and selecting high yielding taro cultivars. Three improved and one local taro variety were used in the trial, which was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the North bench location. The data were collected and analyzed by using SAS 9.2 Version statistical software. The study's findings revealed that variety had a significant (P < 0.01) impact on all of the variables considered. Accordingly, combined analysis over years indicated that the highest leaf number per plant (7.76), plant diameter (40.82cm), corm diameter (8.28cm), cormel number per plant (6.10), and total yield (22.34 t/ha) were observed for Boloso-1 variety. The highest value of the number of suckers per plant was also observed for the Boloso-1 variety in both years (8.2 in 2018 and 6.2 in the 2019 growing season). However, combined analysis over years indicated the highest corm length in local variety (12.15cm) followed by Boloso-1 variety (10.34cm). Therefore, based on the overall results of this study, the Boloso-1 variety performed best and was more adapted to the area as compared to other varieties. This variety should be popularized and disseminated to users to boost the production and productivity of taro in the testing location and similar agro-ecologies of the region.

Genetic control and assessment of breeding value of selected exotic and local genotypes of taro (Colocasia esculenta) for yield and yield components

The study sought to assess combining ability and establish the gene action involved in the inheritance and heritability of yield and yield components in taro. Five (5) parents and twenty (20) F1 hybrids generated from hybridization were evaluated in 3 locations in Ghana. The field trials were laid in RCBD with three replications. Data measured included number of stolons, number of suckers, corm length (mm), corm width (mm), corm weight (g), yield (kg/ha) and dry matter content. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted using Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research version 2.0.1. Griffing Method II, Model 1 diallel analysis was used to estimate the general and specific combining ability. Heterosis was estimated for all the F1 hybrids. Heritability and correlation among the traits was also estimated. The ANOVA revealed significant differences among the genotypes for yield and its components. The high magnitude of SCA over GCA, high broad sense heritability over narrow sense heritability and below unity Bakers ratio observed for most of the yield traits studied indicates the predominance of non-additive gene action in the expression of the traits. The highly significant positive heterosis and above parental means recorded for the progenies indicates that effective progress can be made in the development of high yielding varieties of taro. CE/IND/16 which recorded significant positive GCA for all the traits except for number of stolons can be included in hybridization programs for varietal development in taro. Hybrids: CE/MAL/32 $$\times $$ KAO19, KAO19 $$\times $$ CE/IND/16, CE/IND/16 $$\times $$ KAO19 and CE/IND/16 $$\times $$ BL/SM/10 which had high hybrid vigor across the research environments could be further evaluated in other environments to ascertain their potentials for release to farmers for cultivation. Significant positive association observed between corm weight and yield/ha(kg) and corm width (mm), indicates that breeding for high corm weight and corm width will definitely improve the yield of taro.

Effect of weed control on growth, dry-matter production and partitioning in elephant-foot yam [Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson

A field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of weed control on growth, dry-matter production and partitioning in elephant-foot yam [Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson] during 2016 and 2017 at the Regional Centre, ICAR-CTCRI, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The treatments consisted of combinations of herbicides (pre- and post-emergence), hand-weeding and weed control ground cover (WCGC) along with the control (weedy check). The treatments WCGC, 4 hand-weeding at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAP and 2 hand-weeding at 30 and 60 DAP+glyphosate (at 90 DAP) resulted in higher plant height, canopy spread, pseudostem diameter, dry-matter accumulation in shoot, corm, root and total. Higher corm length, corm diameter and corm yield were noticed in treatments WCGC, 4 hand-weeding at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAP and 2 hand-weeding at 30 and 60 DAP+glyphosate (at 90 DAP). The treatment control (weedy check) resulted in lower growth attributes, yield attributes and corm yield. The treatments WCGC, 4 hand-weeding at 30, 60, 90 and 120 DAP and 2 hand-weeding at 30 and 60 DAP+glyphosate (at 90 DAP) resulted in higher dry-matter and starch, and lower calcium oxalate content in corms. The treatment control (weedy check) resulted in lower dry-matter and starch, and higher calcium oxalate content in corms.

Evaluation of Released Taro (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Colocasia esculenta&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Varieties at Assosa District, Western Ethiopia

Taro (<i>Colocasia esculenta</i> L.) is a herbaceous, monocotyledonous, perennial stem root crop that is widely cultivated in tropical and sub tropical regions of the world. In Ethiopia taro is cultivated in southern, south western and western of part of the country. The title of experiment was evaluation of released taro (<i>Colocasia esculenta</i> L.) varieties at Assosa, Western Ethiopia. The objective was to identify adaptable, high yielding with good quality taro variety for Benishangul Gumuz region. The experiment was carried out in RCBD with three replications at Assosa Agricultural Research Center in 2016/17 cropping season. The crop was planted on a plot size of 5mx3m (15m²) with inter and intra raw spacing of 75cm and 50cm, respectively. Data of growth performance, yield and yield components were recorded. Some parameters showed that no significance difference (P>0.05) among varieties in terms of corm diameter, plant height, corm length, number of corm per plant, number of corm per ha, number of cormel per ha, yield of cormel tone per ha whereas leaf number, number of suckers, weight of corm per plant, total number of yield per ha, total yield tone per hectare, corm yield per ha revealed that significance difference among varieties. The highest total yield (16.75 t/ha) per hectare was recorded in Boloso-1 variety while the lowest total yield of taro (8.07 t/ha) per hectare was obtained from Kiyaq variety. Boloso-1 variety was best when compared to others varieties. So, Boloso-1 variety was recommended for Assosa area followed by local variety.

Rationalization of Water Consumption for Taro Plant through the Rationing of Irrigation and Expand the Plant Ability to Resist Stress Conditions

A field experiments were conducted at Horticulture Research Station, El-Kanater El-Khiria, Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Egypt during 2016 and 2017 seasons to investigate the effect of different irrigation water levels i.e.,100, 75 and 50% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and foliar application with some stimulant substances i.e., proline at 150 mgl-1, potassium silicate at 2500 mgl-1 and putrescine at 10 mgl-1 as well as mulching treatments i.e., black polyethylene plastic, rice straw and sawdust mulches individually or in combination of treatments on vegetative growth characteristics, some bioconstituents, total yield and its components of taro plant under drip irrigation system and results interpreted. The results showed that that increasing water stress level from 75% to 50% of Etc decreased gradually all studied growth characteristics of taro plant (plant height, leaves number plant-1, lamina dry weight plant-1 and leaf area (cm2) plant-1 in the two seasons. In addition, increasing irrigation water stress resulted in decreasing of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) content in taro leaves. Moreover, the increase in water shortage is regularly increased the proline content and antioxidant enzymes activity i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) in taro leaves compared to the full irrigation level (100% of ETc). Furthermore, different estimated yield characteristics of taro plant i.e., main corm length (cm), main corm diameter (cm), corms number plant-1, corms fresh weight (kg) plant-1, main corm fresh weight (g), corms fresh weight (kg) plot-1, corms fresh yield (ton) fed.-1 and corm dry matter % as well as taro corm bioconstituents of N, P, K, crude protein and starch contents decreased by reducing irrigation water levels. In this respect, water stress level at 50% of ETc recorded the highest reductions in different estimated characteristics compared to 75% of ETc level and unstressed plant (100% of ETc).&#x0D; Regarding, the effect of foliar application with stimulant substances and mulching treatments, proline at 150 mgl-1 followed by potassium silicate at 2500 mgl-1 and putrescine at 10 mgl-1 as well as black polyethylene plastic mulch were the most effective treatments, respectively.&#x0D; As for the effect of interaction, the results showed that all the interactions between irrigation water levels and foliar spray with the stimulant materials as well as mulching treatments increased different estimated traits of taro plant i.e., vegetative growth characteristics, bioconstituents, yield and its components as well as water use efficiency compared to the control. In this respect, foliar spray with proline at 150 mgl-1 was the most superior treatment followed by putrescine at 10 mgl-1 and potassium silicate at 2500 mgl-1 under water stress levels i.e., 75 and 50% of ETc when compared with the untreated plants during 2016 and 2017 seasons.&#x0D; In general, it could be noticed that the applied stimulant substances i.e., proline, putrescine, potassium silicate and black plastic mulch treatments could partially reduce the harmful effects of drought stress on growth, bioconstituents, corms yield and its quality of taro plant.

EFFECT OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER RATES AND WEED CONTROL TREATMENTS ON WEEDS GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY AND ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF TARO CROP

Two field experiments for taro vegetable crop were carried out in ElKanater El-Khiria, Horticulture Research Station, Kalubia Governorate, Egypt, in a split plot design during the two successive 2015 and 2016 seasons. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two nitrogen fertilizer rates at 90 or 120 kg/ fed. in main plots and nine weed control treatments in sub plots i.e. Harness at one liter/ fed., Sencor at 300 g/ fed. and Stomp extra at 1.7 liter/ fed. each individual and/ or plus Roundup at one liter/ fed., Roundup individual, hand hoeing twice after 25 and 40 days from sowing and untreated check (control) on weeds growth and vegetative growth, yield, quality and economic feasibility of taro. The main findings of this research revealed that nitrogen fertilizer rate at 90 kg/ fed. gave the highest decrease in dry weight of weed categories i.e. , broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds and total weeds in both seasons and increased diameter and weight of taro corm in the second season. Whereas, taro plant height, taro number of leaves/ plant and uptake of nitrogen by weeds were increased by application of nitrogen rate at 120 than 90 kg/ fed. during the two seasons without any significant differences in the yield of taro, its components, chlorophyll content and chemical analysis characterized. The use of Stomp extra at 1.7 liter/ fed. applied as post-sowing plus Roundup at one liter/ fed. after 25 days from sowing applied as taro pre-emergence above soil surface exhibited significantly decreased in dry weight of total weeds by 96.9 and 95.1 % in first and second seasons, respectively. Application of Seconr at 300g /fed. plus Roundup at rate of one liter/ fed. reduced the previous total weeds by 93.3 and 94.5% and increased taro yield (43.6 and 43.5%) in the first and second seasons, respectively. Thus, these herbicides can broaden weed control weed spectrum with long weed control season, which minimize taro yield by weed competition, consequently eliminated N uptake from soil and improved protein and starch accumulation in favor taro crop yield. Also, it can be advised as alternative hand hoeing to weed control in this crop with economic feasibility and delectable herbicides residues and under permissible levels which accompanied with high quality for taro growth characteristics i.e. plant height, number of leaves/ plant and chlorophyll reading in leaves, corm length, corm diameter, corm weight, corm fresh yield, dry matter % and chemical of taro corms (protein percentage, starch percentage and total nitrogen of corm yield).

Evaluation and selection of taro [Colocasia esculentra (L.) Schott] accessions under dryland conditions in South Africa

ABSTRACTTaro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] is an important underutilised staple food crop in South Africa, with a lot of potential to address food insecurity among poor rural households. Development of high yielding stable taro cultivars is one of the most important goals of plant breeders. Twenty-nine taro accessions collected from major taro producing regions of the country were evaluated for growth performance, yield potential and stability under dryland conditions at two sites (Umbumbulu and Roodeplaat) in 2013, 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid in a randomised complete block design replicated three times. Growth and yield traits were measured. Analysis of variance and correlation analysis was done on all measured traits. The genotype by environment interaction was analysed using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI). As a result, significant variation was observed for most of the traits except number of leaves and leaf width as well as number of suckers, while all the traits showed significant variation for location by year interaction. Number of corms showed significant variation for location by year by genotype interaction among all the traits evaluated. Genotype effect was highly significant (p < .01) on plant height, corm length, number of corms and significant (p < .05) on yield. The significant difference between genotypes for these traits proves that there was a genetic variability and there is a scope for selection. The correlation study also reveals that majority of the characters were positively correlated with each other. Total yield was positively and highly significantly (p < .01) correlated with all the measured traits. AMMI was effective in identifying stable genotypes. The top ranking cultivars per environment may be considered for cultivation under the specific environment, the stable cultivars may be considered for cultivation across all the taro growing regions.

English

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott.) is one of the underutilized crops in Ghana which has great potential in terms of food and nutritional value. Eighteen (18) accessions collected from Samoa (8), Malaysia (2), Indonesia (2) and Ghana (6) were studied under field conditions to collect data on their agro-morphological characteristics and yield potential for the development of the crop. The study was conducted at Nobewam in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality in Ashanti Region. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with three replications. Data were collected for 16 qualitative and 13 quantitative traits. Variations were observed in the vegetative and yield components. Plant height of the accessions ranged from 66.1 to 110.4 cm; corm length ranged from 12.5 to 18.5 cm; the maturity period ranged from 7 to 9 months and the corm weight ranged from 0.26 to 0.79 kg. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) were observed, indicating higher degree of variability in the accessions. Significant (p&lt;0.001) and positive correlations were observed between corm length and corm diameter; economic (corm) yield and biological (stover) yield, corm diameter, corm length and corm weight. Leaf length correlated positively with corm diameter and corm weight. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first component (PC1) accounted for 53.98% of the morphological traits. Nine accessions: CE/MAL/32, BL/SM/158, BL/SM/10, BL/SM/116, CE/IND/16, BL/SM/132, BL/SM/16, CE/MAL/14 and SAO/006 possess desirable characters such as earliness and yield which could be exploited for varietal development of taro in Ghana. Key words: Agro-morphological traits, characterization, Colocasia esculenta, principal component analysis. &nbsp

EFFECT OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER RATES AND WEED CONTROL TREATMENTS ON WEEDS GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY, AND ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF TARO CROP

Two field experiments for taro vegetable crop were carried out in ElKanater El-Khiria, Horticulture Research Station, Kalubia Governorate, Egypt, in a split plot design during the two successive 2015 and 2016 seasons. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two nitrogen fertilizer rates at 90 or 120 kg/ fed. in main plots and nine weed control treatments in sub plots i.e. Harness at one liter/ fed., Sencor at 300 g/ fed. and Stomp extra at 1.7 liter/ fed. each individual and/ or plus Roundup at one liter/ fed., Roundup individual, hand hoeing twice after 25 and 40 days from sowing and untreated check (control) on weeds growth and vegetative growth, yield, quality and economic feasibility of taro. The main findings of this research revealed that nitrogen fertilizer rate at 90 kg/ fed. gave the highest decrease in dry weight of weed categories i.e. , broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds and total weeds in both seasons and increased diameter and weight of taro corm in the second season. Whereas, taro plant height, taro number of leaves/ plant and uptake of nitrogen by weeds were increased by application of nitrogen rate at 120 than 90 kg/ fed. during the two seasons without any significant differences in the yield of taro, its components, chlorophyll content and chemical analysis characterized. The use of Stomp extra at 1.7 liter/ fed. applied as post-sowing plus Roundup at one liter/ fed. after 25 days from sowing applied as taro pre-emergence above soil surface exhibited significantly decreased in dry weight of total weeds by 96.9 and 95.1 % in first and second seasons, respectively. Application of Seconr at 300g /fed. plus Roundup at rate of one liter/ fed. reduced the previous total weeds by 93.3 and 94.5% and increased taro yield (43.6 and 43.5%) in the first and second seasons, respectively. Thus, these herbicides can broaden weed control weed spectrum with long weed control season, which minimize taro yield by weed competition, consequently eliminated N uptake from soil and improved protein and starch accumulation in favor taro crop yield. Also, it can be advised as alternative hand hoeing to weed control in this crop with economic feasibility and delectable herbicides residues and under permissible levels which accompanied with high quality for taro growth characteristics i.e. plant height, number of leaves/ plant and chlorophyll reading in leaves, corm length, corm diameter, corm weight, corm fresh yield, dry matter % and chemical of taro corms (protein percentage, starch percentage and total nitrogen of corm yield).

Evaluation of Taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) Cultivars for Growth, Yield and Quality Attributes

A study on varietal evaluation in taro for growth, yield and quality attributes was carried out in a replicated experiment and morphological and chemical analysis was done. Significant differences were recorded for all the characteristics studied. 'Panchmukhi' recorded highest plant height (179.33cm), petiole length (153.11cm), petiole breadth (13.87mm) and leaf size (3095.67cm2), LAI (1.14), corm length (152.41mm) and breadth (107.77mm), average corm weight (1500.00g) and corm yield (20.00t/ha). 'C-3' recorded maximum (15.00) petiole number and cormel length (85.93mm). Cormel yield (15.29t/ha), total yield (25.92t/ha) and number of cormels per plant (30.33) was found to be maximum in cv. White Gouriya. 'ML-2' recorded maximum (7.33) number of side shoots. Highest average cormel weight (72.85g) was maximum in cv. Arcol-7, and 'Arcol-5' recorded maximum (67.43mm) cormel breadth; the least blight incidence percentage (8.00) was recorded in 'Nayabungalow'. As for biochemical constituents, 'Nainital' recorded the highest (5.85%) total sugars, 'Kandha-5' exhibited the highest (34.67%) starch content and 'Nadia Local' with showed highest levels of oxalic acid (1.05mg/100g). Highest dry matter content (27.50%) was recorded in cvs. KCA-1 and Panchmukhi, while the highest moisture percentage (82.83) was recorded in 'IG Coll-5'.

Plant Spacing and Planting Depth Effects on Corm Yield of Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott)

Taro is a marginalized tuber food crop, with wide distribution in the tropics. This study was aimed at assessing the effects of plant spacing and planting depth on corm yield and yield-related traits in taro. Dasheen, a predominant taro cultivar in Uganda, was sourced from farmers’ fields and evaluated using a randomized complete block design for two seasons. Three plant spacings (0.30 × 0.30 m, 0.50 × 0.50 m, 0.75 × 0.75 m) and two planting depths (0.15 m and 0.30 m) were used. Plant spacing had a significant effect on plant height, corm girth, corm yield plant−1, shoot yield plant−1 and corm yield hectare−1 (ha−1). Planting depth had a significant effect on corm length and corm yield ha−1. The widest spacing (0.75 × 0.75) produced largest corm yield plant−1 and shoot yield plant−1, whereas the narrowest spacing (0.30 × 0.30 m) produced largest shoot yield ha−1 and corm yield ha−1. Planting depth of 0.30 m produced higher corm yield and length than that of 0.15 m. Plant spacing was positively and significantly correlated with plant height, corm girth, and shoot yield plant−1 but negatively correlated with corm yield ha−1 and shoot yield ha−1. Planting depth was positively and significantly correlated with corm length, indicating that deeper planting of taro produced longer corms, thus enhancing corm yield.

Correlation and path coefficient analysis in Giant Taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza L.)

Genotypic and phenotypic character associations as well as direct and indirect effects were estimated for eleven characters such as plant height, petiole length, petiole breadth, leaf area index, inflorescence length, spathe length, spathe breadth, corm length, corm breadth, corm weight and yield per plant, in giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza L). The results revealed that plant height, LAI, corm length, corm breadth, had positive correlation with yield per plant both at genotypic and phenotypic level. Relatively higher positive and direct effect was found through petiole length, LAI and corm length and yield per plant in genotypic level. The residual effect 0.4762 represent in genotypic level about 53 % of the variability observed for yield per plant was represented by these traits. In the phenotypic level highest and positive direct effect was observed with petiole length and yield per plant. Positive direct effect was also found on yield per plant by plant height, petiole length, inflorescence length, inflorescence number, spathe length and spathe breadth, corm length, corm breadth. The residual effect 0.4235 means that characters included in the present study explained about 58 % variability in yield per plant at phenotypic level.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(2), 117-122, 2015

Correlation and path coefficient studies of Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium L.)

Plant height, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf number, leaf area index, corm length, corm breadth, corm weight, sucker number exhibited positive correlation with yield per plant in both genotypic and phenotypic level in cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium). Path coefficient analysis revealed that leaf length, leaf number, corm length exhibited direct influences to yield per plant. In genotypic level yield per plant showed the highest positive direct effect with corm length followed by cormel breadth, sucker number.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(1), 47-52, 2015

Morphological Comparison of Five Varieties of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Colocasia esculenta&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (L.) Schott in Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria

Comparative morphological study of five varieties of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott present in Anambra State, Nigeria was carried out, in order to furnish plant taxonomists with information which could be of great help in delimitation of the varieties. Significant difference was established at p < 0.05. The result showed that adaxial surface of “kochuo” had a purplish dot on the centre, abaxial leaf surface had a conspicuous purplish colour at the point of attachment to the leaf, and the cormels had numerous striking vertical purple stripes on the surface. There was presence of foliaceous (leaf-like) appendages at the veins of the abaxial surface of the leaf of “ogeriobosi”. The leaf length ranged from 35.6 ± 7.70 cm (“kochuo”) to 49.9 ± 3.55 cm (“ogeriobosi”). Petiole length of “ogeriobosi” was the highest (63.3 ± 3.83 cm), whereas the least was Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum (26.67 ± 2.20 cm). The corm length ranged from 4.10 ± 0.10 cm (Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum) to 8.60 ± 0.35 cm (“ogeriobosi”), while the cormel length ranged from 3.70 ± 0.96 cm (Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum) to 7.03 ± 0.36 cm (“ogeriobosi”). This work has revealed diagnostic and differential morphological characters, which could be useful for identification and description of varieties of C. esculenta. In addition, it provided additional information which might be helpful in resolving the on-going controversy in the taxonomy of Colocasia, which would, in turn, probably lead to possible delimitation of C. esculenta.

Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Coefficient Studies in Elephant Foot Yam (&lt;i&gt;Amorphophallus campanulatus&lt;/i&gt; Bl.)

An investigation has been made to characterize the local accessions of Elephant foot yam collected from thirteen aroid growing districts and in-depth study on genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient for plant height, petiole length, petiole breadth, leaf area index, corm length, corm breadth, corm weight, cormel number, cormel length, cormel breadth, cormel weight and yield per plant has also been carried out. Genotypic variances and coefficient of variation for most of the characters were remarkably higher than their corresponding environmental variances, which also indicate the existence of variation in genotypic origin. High heritability with high genetic advance in percentage of mean was also observed for all characters. In the correlation study plant height, leaf area index, corm length, corm breadth, corm weight, cormel number, cormel length, cormel breath showed positive correlation with yield per plant in genotypic and phenotypic level. Leaf area index, cormel number in phenotypically and cormel number in genotypic level showed relatively high positive direct effect on yield per plant.Keywords: Amorphophallus; Genetic variability; Correlation; Path coefficient.© 2013 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v5i2.13853 J. Sci. Res. 5 (2), 371-381 (2013)