Effect of different rates application from organic manure and some planting methods on quality and yield of taro (Colocasia esculenta L. schott) [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Two field experiments were carried out during the summer seasons of 2003 and 2004 on taro (local variety) in clayey loam soil at El-Zahraa, Mansoura, Dakhalia Governorate, Egypt. This investigation aimed to study the effect of farmyard manure levels (50, 60, 70 and 80 m³/fed.) and planting methods i.e., heratey planting as new method and afier as a traditional method on vegetative growth parameters, yield attributes, taro quality and some chemical contents of corm. The results indicate that Heratey planting (new method) decreased the absent hills percentage by (40.9 and 36.75%) in both seasons respectively, compared with afier planting (traditional method). Planting height, leaves number/plant, leaf area/plant, fresh weight of arial parts/plant, corms fresh weight/plant, corm length, corm diameter, total yieldlfed, nitrogen, protein, dry matter and starch content in corm were increased by applying heratey planting method, whereas, dry weight of arial parts (%), average of corm weight, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and total oxalate concentration in corm were not significanUy affected by either. heratey or afeir planting methods during both seasons. Application of farmyard manure at level (80m3/fed) led to a significant increase In all vegetative growth parameters except the dry weight of parts, while, the percentage of an absent hills was not affected by different farmyard manure rates. Increasing farmyard manure application level up to (80m³/fed) gave highest values of yield and its components, as well as gave a positive effect on corm contents from nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, protein, dry matter, starch, calcium and total oxalate. The interaction between planting methods and farmyard manure levels showed that applying heratey planting method with farmyard manure (80m³/fed) gave the maximum values of vegetative growth parameters, total yield by (8.7 - 11.53%) and yield components, as well as, chemical contents and quality parameters of taro corm. Generally, the results indicated that applying heratey planting as a new method with FYM at (80m³/fed.) would increase the total yield and improve corm quality in addition to decrease the absent hills percentage/fed. and consequently led to decrease the total cost production/feddan.

Summary in Arabic.

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