How to Grow Taro: Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Timing

Taro is a warmth-loving crop that cannot tolerate frost, so it is grown relatively more widely in the south of our country. Because of its food value and delicious taste, taro is now deeply loved by consumers, which has led many people to want to grow taro. So the first step is to consider the timing and methods for planting it.

Taro Planting Methods and Timing

Taro planting time: Under normal conditions, taro is suitable for cultivation in spring, generally mostly around January to March (Start of Spring), and is harvested in late summer or autumn (August to October).

Taro planting methods:

1. Land preparation and fertilization: Taro has wide adaptability to soil, and clayey soil that is fertile, deep, and has strong water retention is preferable. After the land is prepared, open furrows at a row spacing of 80-100 cm, with a furrow width of 50 cm and a depth of 35 cm, then apply fertilizer in the furrows. Taro has a high fertilizer requirement and a long growing period, so first apply sufficient base fertilizer: 2000 kg of high-quality organic fertilizer and 60 kg of 48% potassium sulfate compound fertilizer per mu, applied in furrows opened at the row spacing.

2. Sowing method: Select seed taro free of pests, diseases, and wounds and spread them in the sun for 3-4 days, then arrange them closely indoors and cover with 8-10 cm of wet sand to promote sprouting, keeping the room temperature at 20-25°C. After 20-30 days, when the sprouts are 3-4 cm long and the 5 cm soil temperature is stable at 10°C, plant them. Open two seed rows on the bed, with a furrow spacing of 30 cm and a depth of 7 cm; after watering the furrows thoroughly, place the seed taro, with a plant spacing of 33-40 cm, and 4500-5000 plants per mu.

Taro Fertilization Techniques

Taro has a long growing period, high yield, and a high fertilizer requirement, so in addition to applying sufficient base fertilizer, it should also be top-dressed in stages. A seedling-promoting fertilizer can be applied once in the early seedling stage, and top-dressing can be done 2-3 times during the early and middle stages of the vigorous growth and corm growth periods; the amount applied should be less at first and more later, gradually increasing, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers should be applied in combination. In the later stage, top-dressing should be controlled to avoid excessive vegetative growth and delayed maturity. Apply 40-50 kg of compound fertilizer (N:P:K=15:15:15) and 100-150 kg of ordinary calcium superphosphate per mu as base fertilizer. After the seedlings are uniform, begin top-dressing: apply 75-100 kg of compound fertilizer (N:P:K=16:10:20) per mu, combining fertilization with hoeing and earthing up; for plastic-mulched taro, apply fertilizer dissolved in water. Alternatively, on the premise of sufficient base fertilizer, a thin biogas slurry or manure water may be applied appropriately in the early stage. When the taro begins to expand in early June (3-4 leaf stage), apply 1000 kg of farmyard manure, 15 kg of potassium sulfate, 50 kg of bio-organic fertilizer, and 2 kg of boron-zinc-magnesium fertilizer per mu, composted for 30-45 days, then apply at the edge of the bed and cover with soil. Before Major Heat in mid-July (5-6 leaf stage), evenly mix and apply 25 kg of potassium sulfate compound fertilizer and 15 kg of potassium sulfate per mu on the bed surface, covering the fertilizer with a shallow layer of soil; before fertilizing, weeds around the field should be removed. No more fertilizer should be applied after August. During the rapid expansion period of taro (June-July), spraying expansion hormone plus potassium dihydrogen phosphate, etc., together with pest and disease control, can promote taro expansion and increase yield. The top-dressing amount for the entire growth period of taro: 20-30 kg of potassium sulfate, 30-40 kg of diammonium phosphate, and 60-70 kg of ammonium bicarbonate.

Taro Fertilizer and Water Techniques

Taro has large leaves and strong transpiration, so it likes water and dislikes dry soil; otherwise, yellowing and withering of leaves easily occur. In the early stage, because temperatures are low and growth is small, it is only necessary to maintain soil moisture; especially during the emergence stage, watering must be avoided so as not to affect root development and emergence. In the middle and late stages, temperatures are high and growth is large, so water demand is high and the soil should be kept moist, but irrigation should preferably be done in the morning and evening; especially in high-temperature seasons, avoid watering at noon, otherwise the leaves are easily withered. Before fertilizing and removing the film, the bed surface should be kept moist; on rainy days, drain accumulated water from the bed furrows; in dry sunny weather, run water through the bed furrows to keep them moist. During the peak growth period (June-August), the bed furrows should keep 1 cun of water at the bottom or remain moist; watering should be controlled 20 days before harvest, and irrigation should be stopped 10 days before harvest (for harvest and market before October).

Taro Pest and Disease Control

Taro blight usually occurs mostly in the plum rain season and midsummer, especially under "white-rain" showers (also called sun showers); it is most susceptible during midsummer with alternating sunny and rainy weather and high temperature and humidity. Once an infected center (plant) is found, apply pesticide immediately for control.

The main agents include:

1. Spray Bordeaux mixture. Its preparation method is: 0.5 kg each of copper sulfate, lime, and rosin, dissolve them with a small amount of clean water, mix them together, then add 75 kg of water and spray the whole field, spraying once every 7-8 days for 2-3 consecutive sprays; the control effect can be above 90%.

2. Drench plants with 1000-fold dexon solution, using 110 kg of solution per mu, drenching once every 10-12 days for 3-4 consecutive drenches, which can effectively control the occurrence of blight.

3. Spraying 80 mL of Zhizhuangsu plus 100 g of thiophanate-methyl mixed with 55 kg of water has a special effect for control.

Generally, early spring each year is the best time to plant taro. Taro likes fertilizer, so after choosing the site, some fertilizer should be applied appropriately to enrich the soil and ensure the survival rate of taro. Later management is also very important; pest control, watering, and fertilizing the soil are all indispensable. Only by doing these tasks well can a high yield of taro be ensured.