Effect of fertilizer application and spacing on quality attributes of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott.]

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to effect of fertilizer and spacing on the quality attributes of taro at research field of Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, RVSKVV, and Gwalior during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2017 and 2018. Three levels of fertilizer dose viz., F1 = full FYM (10t/ha.) + recommended dose of NPK (80:60:60 kg/ha), F2 = full FYM (10t/ha.) +75% of recommended dose of NPK (60:45:45 kg/ha), F3 = full FYM (10t/ha.) +125% of recommended dose of NPK (100:75:75 kg/ha) and three levels of spacing viz., 0.60m x 0.30m, 0.60m x 0.45m and 0.60m x 0.60m were used as treatment variables. The experiments were laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The data revealed that the highest starch content and dry matter content were recorded in F3 [full FYM (10 t/ha)+125% recommended dose of NPK (100:75:75 kg/ha)] both the respective year and on pooled basis, and highest plant moisture content was recorded in F1 [full FYM (10 t/ha)+recommended dose of NPK (80:60:60 kg/ha)] for the year of 2017 and on pooled basis) except F2 in the year of 2018. As respect to highest starch content and dry matter content were recorded in plant spacing S1 (0.60m x 0.30m) both the respective year and on pooled basis and highest plant moisture content was recorded in plant spacing of S3 (0.60m x 0.60m) for the year of 2017 and on pooled basis) except F2 in the year of 2018.