Methods for rapid vegetative propagation of taro
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Keywords

Colocasia esculenta
Taro
Vegetative propagation

How to Cite

Methods for rapid vegetative propagation of taro. (1986). Tropical Agriculture, 63(4). https://journals.sta.uwi.edu/ojs/index.php/ta/article/view/2147

Abstract

Studies made showed that taro can be rapidly propagated vegetatively with the use of single-node rhizome cuttings and cormels with apical shoot removed. The dormant bud in a single-node rhizome cutting developed into a shoot and produced roots. Removing the nodal scale that covers the bud and inclined planting of the cuttings helped to hasten bud development. Cuttings taken from the apical middle and basal portions of the rhizome did not differ significantly in sprouting. Addition of N fertilizer to the growing medium, composition of soil medium and length of time the rhizomes were stored prior to planting also did not affect sprouting of single-node rhizome cuttings. Cormels planted without apical shoots produced a number of axillary shoots each of which developed roots and thus could be separated for transplantation. New plants derived from single-node rhizome cuttings or decapitated cormels were ready for field planting after 60-90 days of hardening off. These propagation techniques are many times more rapid and efficient than the conventional field multiplication method.
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