Typical yield
15.0 t/ha
Varieties
1
Pest/Disease
4
Seasons
1
Profile
- Growth habit
- perennial
- Lifecycle (days)
- 180–300
- Primary uses
- Tuber/roots; leaves as vegetable
- Pollination
- insect
- Origin / distribution
- Wet tropics; cultivated across humid tropics/subtropics
Environment
Climate
Temp optimal
21–28 °C
Rain optimal
1500–2500 mm/yr
Altitude
0–2000 m
Soil
pH optimal
5.8–6.5
Soil type
Deep loam; can tolerate wetter soils
Farmer Guide
Row spacing
100 cm
Plant spacing
75 cm
Depth
8 cm
Seed rate
1000 kg/ha
Nursery days
Planting: Plant setts into moist soils/basins; mulch heavily; maintain good weed control.
Transplanting: Use healthy setts; cure before planting; avoid water stagnation around collar.
Irrigation: Maintain continuous moisture; supplemental irrigation during dry spells.
Fertigation: Split N; ensure K and Ca/Mg; respond well to organic matter inputs.
Pest scouting: Scout for taro leaf blight, mites, and corm pests; remove diseased leaves; sanitation.
Pruning/Training: Not applicable.
Harvest: Harvest when leaves senesce and corms are full size; avoid damaging skins.
Postharvest: Cure in shade; store cool and humid; avoid chilling injury.
Nutrient Schedule
| # | Stage | DAP | Product | Rate | Targets (kg/ha) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basal | 0 | NPK 12-24-12 | 150 kg/ha | N: —, P₂O₅: —, K₂O: — | Band or broadcast and incorporate |
| 2 | Topdress | 60 | CAN 26% N | 120 kg/ha | N: —, P₂O₅: —, K₂O: — | Irrigate after application |
Nutrient Requirements
| Nutrient | Stage | Amount | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| N | Basal | 40 | kg/ha |
| P₂O₅ | Basal | 30 | kg/ha |
| K₂O | Basal | 60 | kg/ha |
| N | Topdress | 40 | kg/ha |
| P₂O₅ | Topdress | 0 | kg/ha |
| K₂O | Topdress | 0 | kg/ha |
Images
| Name | Country | Maturity | Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Cocoyam | KE | 240 | Large corms; good leaf yield |
| Stage | Product | Rate (kg/ha) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basal | NPK 12-24-12 | 150 | |
| Topdress | CAN 26% N | 120 | Split if soils are light |
| Name | Type | Symptoms | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taro leaf blight | disease | Leaf lesions and blight | Sanitation; spacing/airflow; protectants during wet periods |
| Corm rots | disease | Soft rot of corms | Well-drained beds; clean seed; rotations |
| Aphids/mites | pest | Leaf distortion/bronzing | Conserve predators; targeted controls if severe |
| Weevils | pest | Root/corm damage | Clean planting pieces; field hygiene; timely harvest |
| System | Typical | Min | Max | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rainfed | 15 | 8 | 25 |
| Country | Region | Planting | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| KE | Humid zones | Mar–Apr | Sep–Dec |
| Country | Region | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| KE | Humid zones | High |
| TZ | Humid lowlands | High |
| UG | Lake Victoria basin | High |