Yield Of Taro Research Articles

Performance of different weed management practices on weed dynamics, growth, yield and economics of taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.)

Performance of different weed management practices on weed dynamics, growth, yield and economics of taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.)

Growth and Production Beneng taro (Xanthosoma undipes K. Koch) Accessions on Several Status of Soil Organic Carbon

Beneng taro is a perennial of Araceae and becomes a new commodity in Indonesia. The research aimed to evaluate the growth and yield of beneng taro on various statuses of soil organic carbon (SOC). Three genotypes of taro, i.e., beneng Banten, beneng Bondowoso, and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) fodder taro were planted in three SOC levels, i.e., 1.79, 2.94, and 4.09% in a randomized split block design in the Leuwikopo Experimental Station, IPB from April to December 2021. SOC was designed by adding cow manure. The results showed that there was no interaction between genotypes and SOC. The increase in SOC from 1.79 to 4.09% did not significantly affect growth but significantly affected the diameter and yield of beneng and NTT fodder taro. An increase in SOC above 1.79% markedly decreased tuber diameter, but conversely increased fresh tuber weight. Tuber weight increased by 5.6% and 12.1% with an increase in SOC from control to 2.94% and 4.09%, respectively. The increase in tuber weight was supported by the trend of increasing biomass weight and the number of roots. SOC source in the present study was cow manure which may also contribute some nutrients, therefore, further research is needed using neutral organic carbon sources to determine the effect solely.
 Keywords: Araceae; SOC; growth; manure; NTT taro; talas beneng Banten

Earthworm activities enhance taro production by reducing weed infestation through taro–earthworm coculture

Rapid global population growth increases the human demand for food. Reliance on the high input of agrochemicals in agricultural production has been shown to be unsustainable and cost ineffective. The combination of planting and breeding can maximize the utilization of agricultural resources. A novel crop–earthworm coculture model has been gradually practiced in urban agriculture in eastern China. We conducted a four-year successive study of taro–earthworm coculture farming to determine the ecological and economic benefits of the model. Our results indicated that earthworm activities in the taro–earthworm coculture system increased taro yield, economic value and net income by depleting the weed seed bank, mitigating weed infestation, and reducing the need for weeding. Compared with those in mono-taro farming, the four-year mean seed bank densities of total weeds, grassy weeds and broadleaf weeds in taro–earthworm farming decreased by 37.1%, 44.4% and 32.2%, respectively; the weed density, biomass, species richness and diversity and need for weeding decreased by 54.1%, 48.3%, 20.8%, 8.2% and 39.7%, respectively; and the taro yield, economic value and net income increased by 19.7%, 19.7% and 50.7%, respectively. Our study suggests that earthworm activities provide ecosystem services in agricultural systems, and the coculture of taro and earthworms enhances crop production by mitigating weed infestation and improving environmental quality.

Modelling the growth, yield, and future climate suitability of underutilized tropical tuber crops-‘aroids’: A review

Elephantfoot yam and taro are important aroids of tropical tuber crops and considered as underutilized in the context of climate change and food security. This study focuses on the existing modelling studies on growth, yield, and future climate suitability of elephantfoot yam and taro. Among different crop models, SUBSTOR-Aroids, AquaCrop, and WOFOST are tested internationally to simulate the crop growth and yield of aroids. The QUEFTS model is tested in India for aroids in estimating crop yield based on site-specific nutrient management. EcoCrop is used to predict the future climate suitability of aroids. This review indicates very limited studies are available for aroids compared to other tropical tuber crops. This shows the necessity to focus more on these underutilized aroids as they are superior in per hectare production to that of major foodgrain crops. This review also recommends modelling studies on aroids to identify or develop a better model structure irrespective of the agro climatic conditions.

Growth Characters and Yield of Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) as Influenced by Organic Nutrient Management

An experiment was undertaken at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala to study the effect of organic nutrition on growth attributes and yield of taro during 2019-20 to 2020-21. The treatments comprised six levels of organic sources (S1 - FYM + wood ash; S2 - FYM + wood ash + PGPR mix I; S3 - FYM + wood ash + PGPR mix I + vermiwash; S4 - Poultry manure + wood ash; S5 - Poultry manure + wood ash + PGPR mix I; S6 - Poultry manure + wood ash + PGPR mix I + vermiwash) and two levels of in-situ green manuring (G1 - in-situ green manuring with cowpea; G2 - in-situ green manuring with dhaincha ) with three controls (C1 - Nutrient management through chemical fertilizers as per KAU PoP (80:25:100 kg NPK ha-1); C2 - Nutrient management as per KAU organic PoP (Adhoc); C3 - Absolute control). During both years, the highest plant height was recorded with application of poultry manure along with wood ash, PGPR-mix I and vermiwash (S6) at all stages of crop growth. Cormel yield was also the highest for the organic source S6 during both years. In-situ green manuring with dhaincha (G2) was found superior to cowpea in producing taller plants, more leaves per plant and cormel yield during both years. The treatment S6G2 was found equally effective as chemical nutrient management and superior to existing Adhoc organic management of KAU and absolute control in case of both growth parameters and yield. Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that organic nutrition involving the application of poultry manure, wood ash along with PGPR mix I, vermiwash and in situ green manuring with dhiancha can be adopted for organic cultivation of taro.

Antagonistic and plant growth promotion of rhizobacteria against Phytophthora colocasiae in taro.

Taro leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae adversely affects the growth and yield of taro. The management of this disease depends heavily on synthetic fungicides. These compounds, however, pose potential hazards to human health and the environment. The present study aimed to investigate an alternative approach for plant growth promotion and disease control by evaluating seven different bacterial strains (viz., Serratia plymuthica, S412; S. plymuthica, S414; S. plymuthica, AS13; S. proteamaculans, S4; S. rubidaea, EV23; S. rubidaea, AV10; Pseudomonas fluorescens, SLU-99) and their different combinations as consortia against P. colocasiae. Antagonistic tests were performed in in vitro plate assays and the effective strains were selected for detached leaf assays and greenhouse trials. Plant growth-promoting and disease prevention traits of selected bacterial strains were also investigated in vitro. Our results indicated that some of these strains used singly (AV10, AS13, S4, and S414) and in combinations (S4+S414, AS13+AV10) reduced the growth of P. colocasiae (30-50%) in vitro and showed disease reduction ability when used singly or in combinations as consortia in greenhouse trials (88.75-99.37%). The disease-suppressing ability of these strains may be related to the production of enzymes such as chitinase, protease, cellulase, and amylase. Furthermore, all strains tested possessed plant growth-promoting traits such as indole-3-acetic acid production, siderophore formation, and phosphate solubilization. Overall, the present study revealed that bacterial strains significantly suppressed P. colocasiae disease development using in vitro, detached leaf, and greenhouse assays. Therefore, these bacterial strains can be used as an alternative strategy to minimize the use of synthetic fungicides and fertilizers to control taro blight and improve sustainable taro production.

Yields and heavy metal uptake of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) and effects on soil properties of different tillage practices and application of burnt rice husk dust in Abakaliki, south-east Nigeria

ABSTRACT Indigenous crops play a critical role in the socioeconomic growth of developing nations where there have been calls for exploitation of these staple crops. This study investigated the yield and heavy metal uptake of cocoyam and changes in soil physical properties in relation to different tillage practices and the application of burnt rice husk dust (BRHD). The experiment was arranged as a split plot in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments and three replications. The treatments were: mound tillage (no BRHD); ridge tillage (no BRHD); mound + 10 t ha−1 BRHD; mound + 20 t ha−1 BRHD; ridge + 10 t ha−1 BRHD and ridge + 20 t ha−1 BRHD. The results showed that soil bulk density (at 45 days after planting, DAP) was lower when the tillage practices were combined with the amendment of burnt rice husk dust, while total porosity (at 45 DAP) and aggregate stability were higher. The yields of cocoyam corms were also higher for tillage practices combined with amendment with burnt rice husk dust. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) in the cocoyam corms were higher for plants grown in soil amended with BRHD, but the levels were still below the levels considered harmful in food crops. Burnt rice husk dust could be recommended for use as a soil amendment in the study area to improve soil properties and increase the production of cocoyam, without increasing the concentration of heavy metals in the corms to harmful levels.

Degradation characteristics of biodegradable film and its effects on soil nutrients in tillage layer, growth and development of taro and yield formation

This study investigated the degradation characteristics of different biodegradable film and its effects on soil nutrients in tillage layer, growth and development of taro and yield formation. Field experiment with biodegradable films, including poly-(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) PBAT, (poly-carbon dioxide) PCO2, (poly propylene carbonate) PPC, as well as common mulch film (CK1) and uncovered mulch film (CK2) were conducted on Longxiang taro in 2020 and 2021 respectively. The degradation rate of the three biodegradable films was PBAT > PPC > PCO2. Compared with CK1, the alkali-hydrolyzed N of PBAT at the growth stage and fruiting stage significantly increased in 2020 and 2021, respectively (both, P < 0.05). The average content of available P of PPC at seedling stage was higher than that in PCO2, and CK1 was significantly decreased compared with that in CK2 (all, P < 0.05). The content of soil available K and organic matter in different growth stages of taro in all film mulching treatments were decreased in comparison to CK2. Moreover, compared with CK2, PCO2 biodegradable film significantly increased plant height at seedling and growth stage, stem diameter at growth stage, and leaf area index at fruiting stage (all, P < 0.05). Similarly, the yield of mother and filial bulbs of PPC, PCO2 and PBAT were significantly higher than those of CK2 in 2020 and 2021, respectively (all, P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in starch, polysaccharide and protein contents among different treatments. The three biodegradable films, especially PCO2, can significantly affect soil nutrient content, promote plant growth and improve taro yield.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) Yields and Soil Chemical Properties Were Improved by Row-Surface Straw Mulching

The rational use of a large amount of straw produced from grain fields is an important issue in major grain-producing areas. On the other hand, due to the long-term preferential applications of chemical fertilizers, soil organic carbon (SOC) content, soil fertility and organic matter levels have decreased, and the soil physical-chemical properties have deteriorated in protected agricultural facilities. In this study, a wet crop, taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) and the straw of two main crops [wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.)] were selected to investigate the effect of row-surface straw mulching on taro yields and soil chemical properties. The results showed that nearly all wheat straw and 74% of rice straw decomposed in one season under wet conditions. Straw mulching significantly increased the taro yield, increased the levels of SOC, soil rapid available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and improved the activities of sucrase and phosphatase in the soil. We conclude that row-surface straw mulching t of wet crops could not only improve the soil properties and crop yields in the protected facility but could also consume considerable straw (wheat: 14,250 kg/ha, rice: 111,00 kg/ha), and the method applied in other areas with similar conditions.

Occurrence of leaf blight of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) caused by Phytophthora colocasiae in Jos East L.G.A, Plateau State, Nigeria

Production of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) in Nigeria has declined in the last few years due to several constraints including poor yield of local cultivars worsened by the spread of Taro Leaf Blight (TLB). Accurate identification and control of the causative pathogen responsible for TLB is a promising option to reduce disease incidence and increase the yield of cocoyam. This study sought to profile occurrence and identity of fungi associated with TLB in Jos East LGA of Plateau State, Nigeria. Eleven farms were surveyed for disease incidence and sampling of infected leaves carried out. Katton Rikkos (Lamingo road) farm had the highest disease incidence of 70% while Koreme and Rifar farms recorded the least (20%). Pathogenicity tests of all isolates showed no visible symptoms four weeks after inoculation. However, Phytopthora spp., used as a positive control showed symptoms of a water-soaked lesion on the leaves three weeks post inoculation. This was followed by a dark brown fleck on the leaves four weeks after inoculation consistent with observed field symptoms in cocoyam. Re-isolation of the isolates confirmed that Phytophthora colocasiae was the potential causal agent of TLB. Further characterization of this pathogen using molecular methods will help in informing appropriate control measures for managing the disease, to increase yield production of cocoyam. Keywords: Taro leaf blight, yield, Phytopthora spp., water soaked lesion, cocoyam

Effect of organic nutrient management on growth attributes and cormel yield of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L) Schot

Effect of organic nutrient management on growth attributes and cormel yield of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L) Schot

Potential of Three Taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) Cultivars as Animal Feed

The growth and yield of taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) plants are influenced by the planting material. The use of planting material derived from corms is expected to improve the quality and quantity of taro growth and yield. This research aimed to find the best type of planting material and cultivars for taro growth and the potential of taro plants as animal feed. The experiment was carried out in Jember, East Java ( elevation ±89 m asl). The experiment used the randomized completed block design method with two treatment factors, the type of planting material (B) as the first factor (B1: taro corms, B2: taro tiller, B3: taro stolon) and the use of taro cultivars (V) as the second factor (V1: green taro, V2: ketan taro, V3: Sukabumi taro). The treatment was repeated four times. The results showed that there was an interaction between the use of taro planting material and taro cultivar that could influence the tuber weight per plant. The types of planting material had a significant effect on the number of tillers, leaf area, corm weight and diameter, and the planting of several taro cultivars significantly affected all observed variables. The treatment that gave the best results was planting material from taro tuber (B1) and Sukabumi cultivar (V3) with a tuber weight yield of 362.58 g (±14.5 tons/ha). Meanwhile, the Sukabumi cultivar (V3) had the best potential as animal feed. Overall, the stems and leaves of taro had a protein content of 1.19–2.02%, while the corms had 2.82–4.09%.

Augmenting yield of taro (Colocasia esculenta) through organic manures

Growing concerns and awareness regarding environmental degradation, food safety, and human health have generated interest over the use of more organic manures in farming. In the view of this context a field experiment was conducted during February-August 2020 at Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu, India to study the influences of organic manures on the yield of taro (cv. Sree Rashmi). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments replicated thrice. Organic manures used for the study were farmyard manure, vermicompost, neem oil cake, phosphobacteria were applied as basal form and Seaweed extract, effective microorganisms, and panchagavya, were soil drenched on the day of sowing, 30th and 60th days after sowing as per the treatment. Results revealed that the maximum values of yield parameters viz., number of cormels/plant (20.34), length of the cormels (11.28 cm), diameter of cormels (6.61 cm), girth of cormels (15.23 cm), single cormel weight (30.43 g), weight of the mother corms (599.28 g), total cormel yield/plant (618.94 g), total cormel yield/plot (24.13 kg), total cormel yield/ha (30.93 t), net income (Rs. 208485.62) and B:C ratio (3.24) were recorded under the treatment of RDF+ vermicompost (5t/ha) + sea weed extract (5 mL/litre) +phosphobacteria (2 kg/ha) proved best treatment in respect of these parameters. Among all the organic manures sea-weed extract combined with vermicompost and phosphobacteria proved beneficial in respect of yield and yield attributes. The minimum values of all these characters were recorded under control. The use of organic manures proved to be eco-friendly in taro cultivation for sustainable yield and quality of cormels as well as for maintaining soil health.

THE RESPONSE OF COCOYAM (Colocasia esculentus (L). Schott) TO MIXTURE OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS IN MUBI, ADAMAWA STATE NIGERIA

A field experiment was conducted at the Adamawa State University, Faculty of Agriculture Department of Crop Science Teaching and Research farm during the 2019 rainy season. To evaluate response of cocoyam (Colocasia esculentus(L). Schott) to mixture of organic and inorganic fertilizers, with the objective of selecting the best fertilizer mixture that can enhance the growth and yield of cocoyam. The experiments consisted of the following treatments T1 = 504 kg ha-1 cow dung, T2 = 227.65 kg ha-1 poultry droppings, T3 = 210.15 kg ha-1 NPK, T4 = 251.33 kg ha-1 cow dung +138.83 kg ha-1 poultry droppings, T5 = 215. 33 kg ha-1 cow dung + 105.08 kg ha-1 NPK, T6 = 138.83 kg ha-1 poultry droppings + 105.08 kg ha-1 NPK, T7 = 167.55 kg ha-1 cow dung + 92.55 kg ha-1 poultry droppings + 70.05 kg ha-1 NPK and T8 = Control. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Designed (RCBD) in three replicates. The result showed that T4 recorded the highest number of leaves and tillers at four weeks after fertilizer application, while the T1 recorded the highest number of leaves and tillers at ten weeks after fertilizer application. The yield characters also vary significantly across the treatments, with T7 yielded the highest number of corm per plot (74), 100 corm weight (6.40 kg), corm yield per plot (1.77 kg) and corm yield in kg ha-1(4425 kg ha-1). Significant positive correlation between corm yield in kg ha-1 with corm yield per plot (r = 0.9395**), 100 corm weight (r= 0.9555**) and number of corm per plot (r = 0.9453**). Suggest that improvement in these characters will enhance the yield of cocoyam. From the results of this research therefore, T7 the blend of 167.55 kg ha-1 Cow dung + 92.55 kg ha-1 Poultry droppings + 70.05 kg ha-1 NPK performed better, for yield character, and hence recommends as the best fertilizer mixture that can enhance the growth and yield of cocoyam in Mubi and environ.

Response of cocoyam (Xanthosoma mafafa) growth parameters and yield and soil physical properties of Ultisol to organic wastes at Umudike, Southeastern Nigeria.

This research was conducted on a degraded Ultisol at the Eastern farm of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike during 2014 and 2015 planting seasons, to study the effect of sawdust and poultry manure combinations on soil exchangeable properties. The treatments comprised of sawdust (SD) at five levels namely 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 t/ha and poultry manure (PM) at five levels namely 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t/ha, which were combined to produce 25 treatment combinations. The treatment combinations were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RBCD) and replicated three times in a factorial experiment. The interactions of poultry manure and sawdust significantly (p&lt;0.05) improved soil bulk density and total porosity with the lowest value obtained with 0t/ha SD + 8t/ha PM in both 2014 and 2015. The result showed that the interactions of poultry manure and sawdust significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the leaf area with the highest value obtained with 20t/ha SD + 8t/ha PM in both 2014 and 2015. Also, only the various rates of treatment applied significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the number of leaves, plant height, leaf area and cocoyam yield with the highest value obtained with 20t/ha SD + 8t/ha PM. Also, the various rates of treatment application significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased the cocoyam yield (weight of corms and cormels) with the highest value obtained with 20t/ha SD + 8t/ha PM. Improvement in growth and yield of cocoyam resulted from the improved nutrient status of the soil as a result of the amendments applied.

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 plant growth regulators on yield attributes of taro [Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum (L.) schott.

Colocasia [Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum (L.) schott.], which is also known as Taro, Arvi, Katchu and eddode belongs to the family Araceae is an important edible aroid. Africa ranks first in area and production of colocasia and in India colocasia is favourite among Gujarat, Konkan region of Maharashtra and several other parts of south India. The cormels, corms, leaves and petioles are used as a vegetable and considered as rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins. Due to increasing demand of taro, there is a need to increase its yield. Foliar application of plant growth regulators is reported to improve growth and tuber yield. Hence, the present investigation has been carried out in the the Horticulture Research unit, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi during Kharif season of 2017. There were eleven treatments used namely T1- Naphthalene Acetic Acid (25 ppm), T2- Naphthalene Acetic Acid (50 ppm), T3- Indole Acetic Acid (25 ppm), T4- Indole Acetic Acid (50 ppm), T5- Maleic Hydrazide (50 ppm), T6- Maleic Hydrazide (100 ppm), T7- Gibberellic Acid (100 ppm), T8- Gibberellic Acid (200 ppm), T9- Ethrel (75 ppm), T10- Ethrel (150 ppm) and T11- Control (water spray only). To find out feasibility of increment in growth & yield of taro by means of application of plant growth regulators on the till date most accepted variety of taro, Muktakeshi by the growers in the state of Jharkhand. Among the eleven treatments used GA3 at 200 ppm was found to record maximum yield parameters in cultivation of taro.

Growth and Yield of Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott.) as Affected by Planting Distance

Taro, Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott., is a staple food for many people in Africa. Despite the numerous importance of the crop, it still remains an underutilized crop in Ghana with little information on many aspects of the crop, especially agronomic practices. This experiment was conducted to identify the effect of planting distance on growth and yield of two promising taro accessions. The experiment was laid out using the split-plot design arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in which accessions (BL/SM/80 and BL/SM/16) were used as main plots and three planting distances (1 m × 1 m, 1 m × 0.75 m, and 1 m × 0.5 m) as subplots. Data were recorded on the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, 24th, and 28th week after planting (WAP) for growth parameters while yield data were taken at harvest. The results indicated that plant height (63.4 cm), petiole length (44.0 cm), number of leaves (4.7), leaf length (31.7 cm), and width (20.5 cm) were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 ) higher in closely spaced plants than widely spaced plants at 4 WAP and 8 WAP for petiole length (70.3 cm) and in the 28th WAP where there was an accession effect on leaf length and number of suckers/plant. The highest corm yield/plant (0.63 kg) and total corm yield/ha (11.7 t/ha) in both accessions were achieved by the medium plant spacing (1 m × 0.75 m) and lower plant spacing (1 m × 0.5 m), respectively. Accession BS/SM/80 recorded the highest total yield/ha of 13.0 t/ha for 1 m × 0.5 m plant spacing. The higher number of suckers (8.1) was recorded by higher spaced plants. From the study, it was seen that growth parameters correlated significantly and positively with yield. It is therefore recommended that farmers in the area and those in similar production areas use a spacing of 1 m × 0.5 m for optimum growth and yield.

Time of introducing component crop influences productivity of intercropping system

Field experiment was conducted at National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Mbato Sub-station, Okigwe, Imo State, South-eastern Nigeria in the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons to establish the most appropriate time to introduce component crops in cocoyam/cowpea mixture. Five different planting schemes (two and four weeks before, two and four weeks after and same day) and two cowpea genotypes (climbing Akidienu and erect IT97K-499-35) were used. The component crops were grown in monocultures to assess the productivity of the systems. The experimental design used was a completely randomized design with three replicates. Growth and yield of cocoyam and the cowpea genotypes increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) when either of the component crops was planted earlier than the other. Intercropping reduced significantly (P&lt;0.05) cocoyam yield by 0.7 − 74% in IT97K-499-35 and 22 − 80% in Akidienu. Sowing the cowpea genotypes the same day or before cocoyam resulted in over-yielding of cowpea, whereas sowing Akidienu and IT97K-499-35 after cocoyam caused pod yield reductions of 64% − 73% and 32% − 59% on average, respectively. Cocoyam planted two weeks before IT97K-499-35 produced more satisfactory yields of the intercrops than the other planting schedules with LER, LEC and ATER of 2.15, 1.03 and 1.57, respectively.

English

This research was conducted on a degraded Ultisol at the Eastern farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike during 2014 and 2015 planting seasons, to determine the effect of different rates of sawdust and poultry manure application on soil physicochemical properties of acid sandy Ultisol, and growth and yield of cocoyam. The treatments comprised of two organic amendments at five levels each: Sawdust (0, 2, 10, 15 and 20 t/ha) and poultry manure (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 t/ha), which were combined to produce 24 treatment combinations and a control. The treatments were assigned randomly to the plots and incorporated into the soil two weeks before planting. The treatment combinations were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RBCD) and replicated three times in a factorial experiment. Data were collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, corms, cormels and total yield. Soil samples were collected with core samplers for physical properties such as soil bulk density and total porosity using soil auger at 0 to 15 cm, at the end of the experiment for chemical analysis such as soil pH, organic carbon, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, exchangeable acidity and total exchangeable cations such as K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+. The soil physicochemical properties were significantly improved with mostly higher rates of sawdust and poultry manure over control, which positively modified cocoyam growth and yield. The cocoyam leaf area, plant height, number of leaves, corms, cormels and total cocoyam yield increased significantly with application of 8 t/ha PM. The total cocoyam yield amounted to 17.73 t/ha in 2014 and 15.15 t/ha in 2015. Results of this research showed that agro-wastes such as poultry manure and sawdust have the potentials for increasing cocoyam production and soil fertility.&nbsp; Key words: Sawdust, poultry manure, bulk density, total nitrogen, soil fertility. &nbsp;