How to Fertilize Taro? The Latest Fertilization Techniques and Methods Tutorial
Taro is a perennial plant with few root hairs and a relatively weak ability to absorb nutrients, but it needs plenty of fertilizer during growth. Therefore, when planting, besides choosing fertile, loose soil with strong water and fertilizer retention, mastering fertilization techniques is also extremely key. So how should taro be fertilized? Let's take a look.
1. Fertilization periods
The periods when taro has the greatest demand for nutrients during growth are mainly the seedling stage, the corm enlargement stage and the maturity stage. The seedling stage includes the process from seed corm germination to the early stage of corm growth. At this time, the fertilization plan is to spray foliar fertilizer to break seed dormancy, allow it to germinate and grow, and then carry out planting. The corm growth period is the enlargement stage, which generally lasts 45 days, and 80% of the yield is formed during this period, so the fertilizer demand at this time is extremely high. A topdressing of fertilizer should be applied once, combined with foliar feeding. The maturity stage requires less nutrients, and foliar fertilizer application should be stopped. The dormant period can last as long as 4 months.
2. Base fertilizer
The root system of taro is made up of fleshy fibrous roots, and its spreading ability is relatively weak, so it prefers deep, loose and fertile soil. Before planting, the soil should be turned and sun-dried to make it loose and well aerated. During land preparation, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied together with this to maintain a continuous supply of soil fertility. Generally, 1000-1500 kg of organic fertilizer or compost is applied per mu, combined with 100-200 kg of compound fertilizer, applied in trenches, with a required trench depth of 10-15 cm.
3. Topdressing
Taro has a long growth cycle and a large nutrient demand, so after applying sufficient base fertilizer, multiple topdressings are needed to ensure its requirements. Topdressing is generally based on quick-acting fertilizers, and 4-5 topdressings are needed each year. The main fertilizer applications include seedling-promoting fertilizer, tillering fertilizer, daughter taro fertilizer, grandchild taro fertilizer and corm-strengthening fertilizer.
Seedling-promoting fertilizer: When the seedlings grow 3-4 true leaves, apply fertilizer once in combination with intertillage and weeding. At this time, the ability to absorb nutrients is relatively weak, so it is recommended to use diluted manure and urine fertilizer. Generally, 500 kg of 40% manure and urine fertilizer is applied per mu, combined with 4 kg of compound fertilizer and 10 kg of urea. After application, water to moisten the soil and reduce the fertilizer concentration.
Tillering fertilizer: Apply tillering fertilizer in mid-to-late April, with 50 kg of peanut bran and 500 kg of pig and cattle manure per mu, applied in shallow trenches. After application, cover with soil in time. After the plants finish tillering, level the shallow trenches.
Daughter taro fertilizer: Apply daughter taro fertilizer in late May when the corm begins to enlarge, with 50 kg of peanut bran and 500 kg of human and livestock manure per mu. Apply it slightly away from the planting holes.
Grandchild taro fertilizer: Apply grandchild taro fertilizer in late June. Since the small taros that appear at this time are called grandchild taros, this fertilization is grandchild taro fertilizer, and generally 500 kg of manure and urine fertilizer is applied per mu.
Corm-strengthening fertilizer: Apply in late July when some taro leaves begin to turn yellow. At this time, fertilizer and water should be controlled to prevent new leaves from growing continuously, which would affect corm maturity and nutrient accumulation. Generally, 50 kg of peanut bran and 10 kg of compound fertilizer are applied per mu.
The above are taro fertilization techniques. We hope they can help you. To learn more about taro cultivation, please stay tuned to us.