EFFECT OF TIME OF PLANTING ON GROWTH AND CORM YIELD OF ELEPHANT FOOT YAM IN EASTERN INDIA

The effect of planting seed corms of elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus Blume) at 15-day intervals from February to July under i rrigation on growth, corm development, and yields was investigated. Ti me of planting played a crucial role for sprouting of elephant foot ya m. Corms planted from March to April sprouted faster and were followed by better plant vigour due, possibly, to higher temperatures immediat ely after planting and other climatic factors like higher rainfall and relative humidity. As corm bulking was most rapid between June to all ow a longer period of maximum bulking and to obtain higher corm produc tion. Planting should therefore be restricted to the period mid-March to mid-April to obtain maximum corn production.