Influence of Sett Size on the Growth and Yield of Taro (Colocasia esculenta).

Abstract

Three sizes of taro (Colocasia esculenta)setts were compared as planting material. They were large ( diameter of base > 65 mm), intermediate ( 51 to 60 mm) and small ( < 4 5 mm). Number of surviving pi.ants at five weeks and at harvest, corm and cormel yield and ,average corm. weight were significantly greater in the large and intermediate sett size treatments. Leaf area index, average leaf area, plant height, number of suckers per plant and number of leaves per plant were significantly greater for large ( or large and intermediate) setts early in the crop although differences tended to disappear or become smaller as the crop aged. Leaf area index ( 6, 38 weeks), plant height ( 6, 28, 38 weeks), average leaf and ( 6, 28, 38 weeks) number of leaves ( 6, 38 weeks) and sucker number ( 28 weeks) were significantly correlated with yield. It is concluded that large setts are the best sized planting material for taro because they grow more vigorously initially and give better 1ueed control and greater yield. The practical limitations of the application of these findings by subsistence taro farmers are noted.