Evaluation of improved taro (Colocasia esculenta(L.) Schott) genotypes on growth and yield performance in North-Bench woreda of Bench-Sheko zone, South-Western Ethiopia

Taro is the world's fourth most important root crop in terms of production by weight, behind cassava, potato, and sweet potato, and the second most significant staple root crop in terms of consumption, after sweet potato. However, a shortage of well-adapted cultivars is one of the production problems that contribute to low yields and small planted areas across the country. As a result, genotypes with high production potential and adaptability for local environmental circumstances must be evaluated. During the 2018 and 2019 main cropping seasons, field experiments were done in the North-Bench woreda in the Bench-Sheko zone, south-western Ethiopia, to improve taro production and productivity by evaluating and selecting high yielding taro cultivars. Three improved and one local taro variety were used in the trial, which was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the North bench location. The data were collected and analyzed by using SAS 9.2 Version statistical software. The study's findings revealed that variety had a significant (P < 0.01) impact on all of the variables considered. Accordingly, combined analysis over years indicated that the highest leaf number per plant (7.76), plant diameter (40.82cm), corm diameter (8.28cm), cormel number per plant (6.10), and total yield (22.34 t/ha) were observed for Boloso-1 variety. The highest value of the number of suckers per plant was also observed for the Boloso-1 variety in both years (8.2 in 2018 and 6.2 in the 2019 growing season). However, combined analysis over years indicated the highest corm length in local variety (12.15cm) followed by Boloso-1 variety (10.34cm). Therefore, based on the overall results of this study, the Boloso-1 variety performed best and was more adapted to the area as compared to other varieties. This variety should be popularized and disseminated to users to boost the production and productivity of taro in the testing location and similar agro-ecologies of the region.