How to grow taro? A detailed guide to the conditions needed for growing taro
Taro is grown very widely across the country and is a cash crop. Taro is easy to digest, tastes good, and contains water, vitamin A and other nutrients. It helps protect teeth and relieve fatigue, and it can also boost the body's immunity, making it a food many people love. So what are the conditions needed for growing taro? Let's take a look below.
1. Temperature
Taro's places of origin are generally areas with high temperatures and plenty of moisture, and over a long history of cultivation different varieties have formed, such as water taro and upland taro. But whether water taro or upland taro, they all need to grow and develop in a hot, humid environment. The optimum temperature for the corm to begin developing is around 14°C, around 22°C is the optimum temperature needed for seedling growth, and the tillering stage needs a temperature of around 25°C. A large day-night temperature difference is favorable for taro corm growth; during the corm stage the temperature needed during the day is around 30°C, and around 20°C at night.
2. Water
Taro itself contains a great deal of water, so it also needs a relatively large amount of water during cultivation. Whether water taro or upland taro, the growing environment needs to be a relatively moist area. For upland taro, the soil must be moist during the growing period, especially during the growth periods of the corm and the leaves; these two stages are the stages that need water most, and sufficient water must be ensured. Also, during the corm formation stage, watering in a little Diguo Zhuangdiling strengthens taro's vigor, improves quality, and achieves high yields. In addition, water taro needs a water layer during the growing period, but the water amount should be controlled one week before harvest to improve storage value.
3. Light
Taro is a food that grows underground and has a relatively small demand for light; it prefers weak light, and too strong light will affect taro's normal growth and development. However, taro can grow better under scattered light, and during the corm formation stage and the expansion stage it has a certain demand for the length of light time.
4. Soil
As mentioned earlier, taro is a crop that needs a lot of water, and the soil should be relatively moist, but different varieties need different soils. Water taro needs to be planted in paddy fields or ditches. Although upland taro can grow in dry land, it still maintains the growth pattern of a water-loving crop during its growth process, so it is best to plant it in areas with moist soil. Taro also has relatively high demands for fertilizer and nutrients; the soil should contain abundant organic matter and have a moderate pH. It is not suited to barren land.
What taro needs most during the growing process is water. Insufficient water will make taro's taste worse, leaving it all fibrous. This affects taro's quality and makes it hard to sell, so during taro's growth you must water frequently to ensure taro's water needs. However, water should not be excessive either, because if there is too much water, it will affect taro's storage after harvest.