COLOCASIA

BY CSK HPKV

1. Colocasia ( Colocasia esculentus )

2. Introduction Other name Taro and aravi ( colocasia is an egyptian word) C.O- India to Southern Asia Family :- Araceae Colocasia ( Colocasia esculentus ) or taro is most important and one of the oldest crops. Two types of colocasia – eddoe (C. esculentus var. antiquorum ) 2n=2x=24 and dasheen 2n=3x=42( C. esculentus var. esculenta ) are commonly cultivated throughout India. The eddoe type is commonly called arvi and dasheen as bunda . Africa ranks first in area and production of colocasia followed by Asia. Colocasia tubers are rich in starch and leaves and petioles are used as vegetables. It contains more nutrients and minerals than other vegetables.

3. Climate and Soil Climate - Colocasia requires moist. Conditions. In natural habitat, it is commonly found near water sources. This crop can grow on hills if frost free conditions remain during growth season . Soil – Well drained and fertile sandy loam soil is ideally suited for its cultivation. It also comes up well in fertile loamy to clay soil. It can stand well in heavy soils and withstand waterlogged conditions. The pH of 5.5-7.0 is ideal .

4. Varieties Colocasia has a wide variability and a large number of local cultivars are grown in different parts of India. Satamukhi , Sree Rashmi and Sree Pallavi are improved varieties. Varieties for :- East India – White gauriya , Kakakachu , NDC 1, NDC 2, NDC 3, Kadma , Nadia Local, Jhankhri and White Gauriya . West India – Satamukhi and Saharshamukhi South India – Sree Rashmi , Sree Pallavi and C16

5. Propagation Colocasia is propagated vagetatively mostly by small cormels weighing 20-25g. Healthy, disease and injury free and of uniform sized planting material should be selected and stored in a cool place at least for 3 months before planting. One tonne planting material is enough for a hectare crop.

6. Cultivation Planting Planting is done by two methods On ridges Flat bed method Planting of cormels should be done at 45cm spacing on ridges made at 60cm apart. Flat bed method can also adopted under upland conditions having good drainage . Planting in small pits is good in flat bed planting

7. Planting time :- Rainy season is ideal time for planting whereas, Feb- Mar is for irrigated areas. Planting time state wise:- Bihar and E. U.P: - June and February Kerala: – April- June Andhra Pradesh : - February Tamil Nadu : - May Assam : - April

8. Manuring and Fertilization A basal dose of @ 10-15t/ha of well decomposed FYM be mixed with soil 2-3 weeks before planting. The application of 80:60:80kg/ha of N:P:K is economical dose for most of the part of India. Half dose of N and K, and full dose of P should be given at the time of planting, while the remaining half dose of N and K should be applied in 2 splits doses, first 7-10 days after sprouting and second a month later . Earthing should be given after each dressing.

9. Aftercare It is it is essential to keep the field weed free. Hand weeding should be done along with earthing up. Generally two earthing up operations are required, first 7-8 days after sprouting and second a month later. Desuckering is done at the time of second earthing up. Only 3 suckers/plant should be retained

10. Irrigation Irrigation throughout the season increase yield. About 5-8 irrigations are required for maximum yield of cormels under summer conditions. The kharif crop is grown under rain fed conditions, but protective irrigation should be given as the rainfall is not regular.

11. Harvesting The crop matures in 120-150 days after planting. This is indicated by drying up of leaves. Harvesting is done by digging out the corms and cormels . The mother corms and cormels are separated after harvesting. It yields 30-40t/ha depending on the type of variety. Dasheen type has more yield potential than eddoe type

12. Postharvest Management Care should be taken during harvesting. The damaged tubers should be separated from marketing lot and consumed within 2-3 days. Selected tubers should be spread on the ground. Tubers should not be packed in air tight containers. Packing in jute bags or basket prevents rotting during storage.

13. Physiological Disorders Water stagnation in the field results in tubers that become hard to cook. This occurs both in dasheen and eddoe varieties. Control : - Proper drainage should be maintain in the field .