Mulch and compost effects on yield and corm rots of taro

The potential of reducing losses due to corm rots on tare (Colocasia escule nta cv. Bun-long) using organic fanning practices was evaluated in an Andis ol under rain-fed conditions during successive seasons between 1996 and 199 8. Treatments were: (1) inorganic fertilizer plus pre-emergent herbicide (c ontrol); (2) control with additional calcium (Ca) and alfalfa pellets; (3) chicken manure with silage mulch; (4) chicken manure with wood chip mulch; (5) chicken manure with macadamia nut compost and silage mulch; and (6) sol arization plus chicken manure and silage mulch. Tare corms were harvested a t 7, 9, and 11 months after planting (MAP). There were no significant effec ts of compost, Ca + alfalfa pellets, or solarization on tare yield. Plots t hat included mulch produced significantly greater fresh weight corm yields and higher percentage corm dry matter, but also showed a higher incidence o f corm rots compared to non-mulched plots. Mulching appeared to increase so il moisture content which promoted both growth of tare and conditions condu cive to corm rot. Although yields were increased in treatments with mulch, these increases in crop value were not sufficient to cover increased costs of production. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.