Effect of Different Storage Methods on Growth, Seed Quality and Corm Yield of Taro (Colocasia esculenta L. (Schott.)) in Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Taro is a staple root crop in the south, central, western, and southwestern parts of Ethiopia. However, its production is limited due to several factors. The seed corm storage condition is one of the main factors that affects the production of taro. A study was conducted in 2021 and 2022 to determine the suitable storage methods for corms of taro for seed production. Five different storage methods (a cemented floor in a warehouse; under a tree shade covered with grass; a raised mesh-wired bed under a thatched roof shelter; an underground pit covered with grass; and an underground pit covered with soil)  were evaluated using a completely randomized design with three replications. A widely adopted variety known as Denu was used. Data on seed quality, growth, and yield parameters were measured. Results indicated that there was a significant (p<0.05) variation among storage methods in terms of seed quality, growth, and corm yield of taro. Seed quality attributes such as percentages of clean and sprouted seed corms, number of verticals per hill and leaves per plant, and the total number of sprouts were significantly higher in the seed corms stored on the cemented floor in the warehouse. Similarly, the highest values for corm number and weight per plant, as well as taro corm yield, were recorded in the seed corms stored on the cemented floor. In conclusion, storing taro seed corms on a cemented floor within a warehouse improved seed quality, growth, and taro corm yield. It is, therefore, recommended that farmers in the area adopt this method. However, further study on the economic efficiency of those storage methods is required to justify farmers’ investment.