Effects of mixed planting of taro leaf blight resistant varieties on the disease and yield of a preferred susceptible taro variety.

Abstract

Five combinations of susceptible and resistant varieties were used to determine the best combination that had 30% susceptible and 70% resistant plants and gave significantly higher yield and lower disease incidence. The coefficient of disease index and level of susceptibility or resistance showed a linear relationship with yield. The inclusion in the cropping system of a Taro leaf blight (TLB) resistant variety does have an effect on the incidence of the disease and the yield of the susceptible variety.