Effects Of Water Temperature On The Early Growth And Development Of Taro

Jose  R. Pardales,; F  M. Melchor,; R  S. de la Peña,

Effects Of Water Temperature On The Early Growth And Development Of Taro

Jose R. Pardales | F M. Melchor | R S. de la Peña

Abstract:

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L) Schott) plants exposed to 28° C water temperature exhibited better plant growth and leaf area development, more and longer roots and higher dry matter content than those grown at other water temperature, I.e., 18-22° C (normal) and 37° C. Inferior vegetative growth and least and shortest roots were noted In plants grown at 37° C. In a follow-up experiment conducted using 2 taro varieties, production of higher number and significantly longest roots was found to be greatly favored by a temperature range of 27-29° C. Reduction In both number and length of roots occurred when temperature became higher but drastic effect of temperature was very apparent at 36-38° C. Temperature beyond 29° C seemed to be detrimental to root growth in newly planted taro. At 36-38° C, roots of the 2 varieties used did not grow beyond 2 cm.

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