Tips to Plant, Grow & Harvest Taro Root 

Taro Root is an evergreen herbaceous plant that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. The botanical name of the Taro root is Colocasia esculenta, and it belongs to the Araceae family. 

Taro root is called by many names worldwide, such as:

• Arui
• Ghuian
• Kachu
• Arvi
• Ghuyya etc.

Taro root, often known as Taro, is primarily farmed for its enormous leaves and roots. Its tubers and leaves form the vegetable part. It is a kind of vegetable that has been growing since early. This vegetable can be toxic when consumed raw. This is because it contains calcium oxalate. However, cooking renders this salt useless. Or it gets destroyed even after keeping them in cold water overnight. Therefore, the Taro root is a famous and familiar plant.

Benefits of Growing Taro Root

Taro root is an accessible and nutritive vegetable with plenty of medicinal properties. Taro root tubers are rich in proteins and carbohydrates. The starch content in them is much more than potatoes and sweet potatoes. 

Furthermore, they are rich in protein, fibre, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium and iron. In addition to this, the vegetable is rich in antioxidants as well. Its leaves contain enough vitamin A and mineral salts like phosphorus, iron, calcium and beta-carotene. The vegetable has 112 kcal of energy, 43 milligrams of calcium, 26.46 grams of carbohydrates, and 591 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams.

This super nutritive plant grows about 1 – 2 metres tall. It grows heart-shaped leaves that are long enough and light green. Taro root is mainly a vegetable.

Taro Root’s Medicinal Usage

The green leaves are also edible as rolls with spices and gram flour. The stalks of the leaves are also a kind of vegetable. They are highly nutritious for health as they have medicinal properties. They help make medicines for cancer, heart diseases, blood pressure, sugar, digestive system, skin and overall eye health. 

How to Plant, Cultivate and Grow Taro root in India?

Delighted by the benefits and nutritional aspects of Taro root? Arrange the best quality farming tractor by availing the best possible tractor subsidy to start this cultivation.

1. Land preparation for Taro root Cultivation

In rich soil with any bacterium, taro root can be grown. However, Arabic thrives on sandy, loamy land with enough biomass and good drainage. According to sufficient information, the site with sandy loam soil has been proven to be the best favourable for its cultivation. The pH of the soil used for cultivation should range from 5.5 to 7. 

2. Temperature & Climate

Each year, the taro root is seeded twice. Both the wet and summer seasons are favourable for planting. In addition, taro root is grown in the rainy season from June to July and in the summer season from February to March. There are two ways to sow it.

To do this, create a bund in the already-prepared field at a distance of 45 cm, and seed its tubers on both sides at 30 cm. The tubers should be completely covered in the soil after planting.

3. Field Preparation For Taro root 

High-yield agriculture is done on deep fertile, well-drained loam lands. It is a warm-season crop available throughout the year, including the wet and summer months. The field needs to be sufficiently ready for this before planting them. 

To prepare it for agriculture, a hectare of soil should have 200 to 250 quintals of cow manure sprinkled into it 15 to 20 days before planting the Taro root plant. On a weed or flat, taro root is planted. The first weed needs to be prepared in the prepared field for this. Next, set up the beds with a one to one-and-a-half-inch height in mind.

4. Planting for Taro Root

Each year, the taro root is seeded twice. Both the wet and summer seasons are used for planting. In addition, taro root is grown in the rainy season from June to July and the summer season from February to March. There are two ways to sow it.

To do this, create a bund in the already-prepared field at a distance of 45 cm, and seed its tubers on both sides at 30 cm. 

5. Manure and Fertilizer

Apply fertiliser and manure in accordance with the soil test results of the taro root field for the desired yield. Decomposed manure or compost manure and base fertiliser at a rate of 200 to 250 quintals per hectare should be mixed when preparing the land for Taro root. 

Use 80–100 kg of nitrogen, 50 kg of phosphorus, and 100 kg of potash per hectare of chemical fertiliser. Before sowing, apply the initial dose of nitrogen and a base of potash. 

6. Irrigation for Taro Root

Arabica’s summer crop necessitates extra watering. To keep the moisture in the field during the summer, irrigation is initially required every 7 to 8 days. Additionally, less irrigation is enough if you plant tubers during the rainy season. However, irrigation should be done every 15 to 20 days if the rains are delayed. 

7. Harvesting & Yield from Taro Root

Depending on the kind, Arabica digging must be done at the proper time. Crops of taro roots mature in about 130 to 140 days. As a result, the tubers should be dug only when fully ripe before being sent and stored for sale. 

The production of taro root varies from 150 to 180 quintals per hectare, depending on the cultivar and methods used. Taro root can be purchased for between 8 and 10 rupees per kilogramme and between 20 and 22 rupees per kg. If the product is sold at a fair price in this scenario, each acre will bring in between INR 1.5 and 2 lakhs.

These were some tips for planting, cultivating, and collecting taro roots. 

How to Control Weed in Taro Root?

For weed control in taro root cultivation, hoeing and weeding of Arabic fields is necessary from time to time. And if there are more weeds in the field, a chemical method is suitable to remove them. 

However, the first weeding of Taro root should be done within 30-35 days of sowing. And the second weeding should be done after 60-65 days. Furthermore, apply the soil to the roots of its plants during weeding. If the stems coming out are in large quantities, cut them off except for one or two stems.

Best Season for Taro Root Cultivation

Arabic farming is done in both Kharif and Rabi seasons. Kharif crop is sown in July and gets ready by December and January. At the same time, the produce of the Rabi season is planted in October and is prepared in April and May.