Effect of organic nutrient management on growth attributes and cormel yield of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L) Schot]

Investigations were done at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala to study the effect of organic nutrition on growth and yield of taro over two seasons during June 2019 to January 2020 and June 2020 to January 2021. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments comprised six levels of organic sources, two levels of in situ green manuring with three control treatments. During both the years, the highest leaf area index was recorded with application of poultry manure along with wood ash, PGPR mix I and vermiwash. Cormel yield was also the highest under the same treatment during both the years. In situ green manuring with dhaincha was found superior to cowpea in producing higher leaf area index and cormel yield during both the years. The treatment poultry manure + wood ash + PGPR-I + vermiwash and in situ green manuring with dhaincha was found equally effective as chemical nutrient management and superior to existing ad hoc organic management of Kerala Agricultural University package and absolute control in case of both growth parameters and cormel yield. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the organic nutrition involving application of poultry manure and wood ash along with PGPR mix I, vermiwash and in situ green manuring with dhaincha can be adopted for organic cultivation of taro.