Optimising plant growth, biomass partitioning, and nitrogen use efficiency in taro (<i>Colocasia esculenta</i> (L.) Schott).

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is the fourth most important root crop globally, yet it remains understudied. Productivity is frequently constrained by nutrient-depleted soils. This study investigates how varying nitrogen (N) levels affect taro growth, particularly biomass accumulation, sucker production, and the formation of calcium oxalate raphides, which can be harmful when ingested. We hypothesized that: (1) Growth and photosynthetic rate are highest in plants receiving the highest concentration of nitrogen; (2) Optimal corm development occurs when N is neither deficient nor excessive; (3) Sucker production increases when corm N needs are met; (4) Tissue calcium concentration (a proxy for calcium oxalate) rises when growth is limited by N.

Methods

Taro pla

SUBMITTER: Steel L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12894226 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature