Influence of Soil Type and Harvest Age on Taro

Little is known about how production practices influence taro (Colocasia esculenta) corm density. This study was conducted to determine the effects soil type and harvest age have on corm density. Niue taro variety was grown on 3 soil types on Tutuila, American Samoa, and harvested 6, 7, 8, and 9 months after planting. Corm densities were measured using a double-weighing method: weighting the corm first in air, then again while suspended in water. Corm density was greatly influenced by soil type, suggesting that lighter soils produce lower density corms. Harvest age also influences corm density, but whether corm density increases or decreases with harvest age depends upon the soil type. Corm density was found to be independent of corm weiqht. I