How to Grow Betel Nut Taro? The Latest Planting Techniques and Method Tutorial
The betel nut taro is oval in shape with a thick, sturdy skin. When cut open, it reveals a betel nut-like pattern inside, which is how it got the name "betel nut taro." Its growing period is relatively short; planting begins around the Spring Equinox, and it can be harvested by Frost's Descent. So how do you grow betel nut taro? Let's find out together.
1. Carefully Select Taro Seed
Seed taro should be selected from corms in the field that are free of pests and diseases and grow vigorously. Choose daughter taros from around the middle of the mother taro, requiring smooth, undamaged skin, freedom from pests and diseases, plumpness, sturdiness, fine hairs near the top, and uniform size. Before sowing, sun the seed for 1-2 days and remove the surface hairs, which promotes earlier development of the seed taro. Select taro seed with plump buds, leaves 5-10 cm long, freedom from pests and diseases, and good color for transplanting, to promote uniform sprouting throughout the field.
2. Planting
Betel nut taro should be planted when the temperature is above 15 degrees and the seed taro begins to sprout, generally from early March to early April, that is, around Qingming. Before planting, make ridges 1.2 m wide and 25-30 cm high, with plant spacing controlled at 25-30 cm and row spacing controlled at 45-55 cm, planting about 1,700-1,800 per mu.
3. Hilling and Weeding
After planting, do not forget to hill up the soil. Hilling can promote the growth of adventitious roots, enhance the plant's drought resistance, inhibit the growth of the terminal bud, and effectively improve quality. The thickness of the hilling also directly affects yield and quality. Generally, hilling is combined with fertilization twice: the first about one month after planting, together with loosening the soil and weeding, with a hilling thickness of about 5 cm. The second hilling is carried out 20 days after the first, together with hilling, fertilization, and pest and disease control. First drain excess water and remove surplus daughter shoots.
4. Fertilizer and Water Management
Betel nut taro is a tuberous plant with a relatively high demand for potassium fertilizer. According to data, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium required by betel nut taro is 1:0.5:1.5. In the early stage, the roots and leaves of betel nut taro grow simultaneously, so nitrogen fertilizer is mainly used at this time to promote rapid leaf growth. After entering the taro-forming stage, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are mainly used, with only an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed to maintain leaf growth.
The above is an introduction to betel nut taro planting techniques. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.