Organic Manures and Bio-stimulants as Growth Enhancers for Improving Tuber Yield in Colocasia (Colocasia esculenta var antiquorum L. Schott)

Abstract

Background: Standardizing the ideal nutrient dosage is necessary to enhance the physico-chemical characteristics of soil, as well as the yield and quality of produce, in order to increase taro yield and quality. In addition to enhancing produce quality, integrated nutrient management (INM) techniques also contribute to increased soil fertility, which benefits the biosphere.   Aims: The present study was carried out to enhance the yield of corms and cormels of colocasia with the application of organic manures and bio-stimulants. Study Design:  This study employed a Randomized Block Design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Department of Vegetable Science, Dapoli, during the kharif season, between June to December, 2024. Methodology: The experiment had three replications and eight treatments viz., T1 [RDF (80:60:80 NPK kg ha-1) + FYM (15 t ha-1)], T2 [FYM (30 t ha-1)], T3 [Vermicompost  (5 t ha-1)], T4 [FYM (30 t ha-1) + Seaweed Extract (3 ml L-1)], T5 [Vermicompost (5 t ha-1) + Humic Acid (1 ml L-1)], T6 [FYM (30 t ha-1) + Seaweed Extract (3 ml L-1) + Humic Acid  (1 ml L-1)], T7 [Vermicompost (5 t ha-1) + Humic Acid (1 ml L-1) + Seaweed Extract (3 ml L-1)] and T8 (Absolute control). Results: According to the experimental data, the treatment T6 [FYM (30 t ha-1) + Seaweed Extract (3 ml L-1) + Humic Acid (1 ml L-1)] exceeded the other treatments with respect to overall corm yield (28.49 q/ ha), cormel yield (150.37 q/ ha), and total yield (178.90 q/ ha) was documented. On the other hand, the treatment T4, i.e., FYM @ 30 t ha-1 and Seaweed Extract @ 3 ml L-1 showed significantly equivalent results. Based on the experimental results, it was revealed that the combined effect of organic sources helped in boosting the corm and cormel quality as well as production of colocasia. Conclusion: The effect of seaweed extract proved crucial in maximising the tuber yield along with the application of farmyard manure and humic acid. This combination led to higher yield production as compared to the other treatments applied.