How to grow taro to get high yield?

Taro is a common root vegetable and a perennial plant. The tubers are usually oval or round in shape, of varying sizes, with a thin skin on the surface that ranges in color from light brown to dark brown. So how to grow taro to achieve high yield?

1. Choose the right time to sow

The growth cycle of taro is relatively long, and the growth cycle of some late-maturing varieties may reach about 270 days. To ensure that taro has enough time to grow, sowing it early is an effective method. However, the specific sowing time varies from region to region and there is no uniform standard. Generally speaking, when the local soil has completely thawed, the 5 to 10 cm soil temperature has been stable at above 13 degrees for five consecutive days, and the air temperature has been stable at above 15 degrees, it is the right time to sow.

Judging from the temperature conditions, the suitable planting season for taro is usually between the Spring Equinox and Qingming Festival, which is approximately mid-March to mid-April. In the southern regions with a warm climate, sowing can be done earlier; in the northern regions where the temperature rises more slowly, sowing needs to be delayed appropriately.

2. Germplasm requirements

High-quality taro seeds are the basis for ensuring vigorous growth and high yield of taro. When choosing taro seeds, priority should be given to medium-sized taro that are strong and free of diseases and pests. High-quality taro seeds should be bright in color, with full bulbs, and free of wounds, damage, rot, insect bites, softness or frost damage. The terminal buds should grow vigorously, with individual weight exceeding 40 grams.

3. Seed treatment

Since taro seeds sown in spring are usually in a dormant period, they need to be awakened before sowing. Taro seeds are usually awakened by sun-drying to break the dormancy period and promote bud germination. Taro seeds usually need to be taken out about 15 days in advance and dried in a well-lit place for 2 days. Sun drying seeds can not only break seed dormancy, but ultraviolet rays can also kill bacteria on the surface of taro seeds. The purpose of drying seeds is to allow the taro seeds to lose water under the light so that they can quickly absorb water during germination, promoting early germination and strong sprouts.

After drying, the taro seeds can enter the stage of heat preservation and germination. The purpose of germination is to allow taro seeds to grow strong sprouts before sowing, reduce the time for germination in the soil, and reduce the risk of uncertain factors affecting germination rate and quality. Germination should be carried out about 15 days before sowing. In a constant temperature environment of 20 to 25 degrees, first lay a 10 cm thick layer of moist sand, then place the dried taro seeds, and then cover with 5 cm thick wet sand. After about 15 days, when most taro shoots grow to 1 to 1.5 cm, they are ready for sowing.

4. Land preparation and base fertilizer treatment

Taro should not be planted continuously, otherwise it may result in a 20% to 30% reduction in yield. It is recommended to rotate with crops such as yams and peanuts. The soil for sowing taro should be deeply plowed and harrowed to a depth of more than 40 cm, and 4,000 kg of fully decomposed high-quality organic fertilizer , 40 kg of potassium sulfate compound fertilizer and 50 kg of superphosphate should be applied in the ridges. If conditions permit, mixing 10 kg of micro-fertilizer can help improve the growth and yield of taro.

5. Sowing and germination management

When sowing, place the taro seeds in the pre-opened furrows at a planting density of about 50 cm, with a furrow distance of 80 cm and a furrow depth of 25 cm. After sowing, cover with 3 to 5 cm of fine soil. If the soil moisture conditions are poor, you can water it thoroughly first, and then place the taro seeds after the water has penetrated. If soil moisture is good, bottom watering can be omitted.

For early-sown taro seeds, you can cover them with insulation film after covering the soil to promote germination. About 7 days later, when the taro seedlings emerge, the membrane should be broken in time to expose the taro sprouts.

6. Water and fertilizer management

Taro usually does not require additional watering during the emergence period unless the soil is too dry. After the seedlings emerge, just keep the soil moderately moist. During the peak growth period of taro and the period of bulb expansion, the water supply needs to be increased, especially in the hot season. At the same time, be careful to avoid overwatering, which increases the risk of pests and diseases and root rot. Stop watering 15 days before harvest to promote the accumulation of dry matter in taro tubers.

Taro is a fertilizer-loving crop and requires multiple topdressing according to different growth stages. A large amount of topdressing is usually not required in the seedling stage, but it is necessary to apply topdressing in time during the period of vigorous stem and leaf growth and the period of bulb expansion. Taro has a greater demand for nitrogen fertilizer before the bulb expands, while it requires more potassium and phosphorus fertilizers during the expansion period.

7. Cultivation and soil management

Intertillage and loosening hoeing help loosen the soil, improve soil permeability and oxygen content, and provide a good growth environment for taro roots. Before forming ridges for taro, inter-row cultivation and loosening should be carried out several times. Soil management is crucial to preventing taro from emerging from the ground and improving quality and yield. Generally, 2 to 3 soil-building exercises are required, with each soil-building exercise having a thickness of 5 to 7 cm.

8. Weed control and pest management

Weeding should be done in time during the seedling stage to avoid weeds inhibiting the growth of taro seedlings. For vigorously growing taro fields, paclobutrazol can be used at the 5-leaf stage to control growth. The main diseases of taro include soft rot and blight, which should be prevented and controlled with appropriate pesticides. The main pests are aphids and underground pests, which can be controlled by using imidacloprid and phoxim.

9. Harvest management

The harvest time of taro varies depending on the variety, growing cycle and environment. Generally speaking, taro can be harvested when its leaves turn yellow and wither and its stem base dries up. Stop watering 15 days before harvest and avoid damage when digging taro. After harvesting, remove the soil, cut off the stems and leaves, separate the mother taro and the baby taro, and dry them in the sun for a few days before storing.

The above are the key points of high-yield taro cultivation technology. Taro cultivation requires consideration of the local planting environment, and the sowing time in different regions is different.