Morphophysiology responses of taro on different soil water level

Abstract

This study aims to determine the response of growth and yield of taro plant genotypes to the level of soil water availability. The experiment was carried out using a divided plot design with the main plot being the rate of water application, namely: 60% FC (Field capacity), 80% FC, 100% FC, 120% FC and 140% FC, while the subplots were taro genotypes consisting of two types of dasheen (Ketan and California genotype), two types of eddoe (Satoimo and Jepang Hijau) also Xanthosoma (Talas Kuning). Parameters of plant growth observations included plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem diameter and width of canopy, while parameters of harvest observations included tuber fresh weight and total fresh weight. Physiological observations include chlorophyll content and number of stomata. Plant height of all types of taro was more vigor at 120 and 140% FC of water. For dasheen type taro, California taro with 140% FC treatment produced tuber fresh weight 36% higher than California taro plants at 60% FC treatment, while for Eddoetypetaro, Satoimo taro with 140% FC treatment produced tuber fresh weight 25% higher thanin 60% FC treatment. This proves that 5 genotypes of taro adaptive on waterlogging stress rather than drought stress. Satoimo and Jepang Hijau (eddoe type) are more adaptive to drought and wet soil conditions than talas Ketan, California and Talas Kuning (dasheen type).