Response of Chinese Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott var. 'Bun Long') to Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilization

Abstract

The response of Chinese Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott variety 'Bun Long') to 12 treatment combinations of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) was determined on a crop grown for 9 months. Nitrogen had the greatest effect on weight of number 1 corms while K had relatively little effect. The highest yields were obtained with the higher rates of N (>320 lb N/acre) at all rates of K. A predicted net revenue of $16/200 to $17/000 may be achieved with applications of 460 and 600 lb N (1000 and 1305 lb Urea) per acre at all rates of K and also with 320 lb N and 600 lb K (695 lb urea and 1185 lb muriate of potash) per acre. A tentative fertilizer recommendation for the highest net revenue is 460 lb N (1000 lb urea) and 600 lb K (1185 lb muriate of potash) per acre. A tentative adequate range for leaf N at 3 months is 4.3 to 4.5 per cent and for leaf K is 4.1 to 4.3 per cent.