Author(s): Fisseha Negash*
The experiment was conducted in southern region of Ethiopia to determine the optimum planting density for taro. Three between rows and three within rows spacings were evaluated on Areka agricultural research farm and on farmers’ field for three years using taro cultivar ‘Bollosso-1’. The design of the experiment was randomized complete block in complete factorial arrangement. Data were collected on below ground plant growth parameters. The results of statistically analyzed data indicated that stand percent at harvest, tuber weight plant-1 and fresh tuber yield were significantly affected by different between rows and within rows spacings. The interaction of these factors did not affect the tuber yield and yield components significantly. On the research farm, 50 cm between rows spacing and within rows spacings of 40 cm and 50 cm gave significantly the highest tuber yield of taro. On the other hand, on farmers’ field, 50 cm and 75 cm between rows spacing gave significantly the highest tuber yield of taro. Though, 50 cm between rows spacing gave significantly higher tuber yield, it significantly decreased stand percent at harvest and corm weight plant-1. Taro growers also reported that growing taro with 50 cm row spacing was not convenient for weeding, earth up and also causes mechanical damage during harvest. The result also indicated that between rows spacing wider than 75 cm decreased tuber yield of taro significantly. On the other hand 50 cm within rows spacing gave significantly the highest tuber yield. Tuber yield of Taro was decreased significantly when it was grown under within row spacing wider than 50 cm. So from the result it is concluded that growing taro with spacing of 75 cm between rows and 50 cm within rows produce higher yield of taro.
