Yield and nutritive components of taro as a function of propagule type in a hydromorfic soil of South Mato Grosso Pantanal

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine yield and nutritive components of taro rhizomes in hydromorfic soil conditions of South Mato Grosso Pantanal. Chinês and Macaquinho taros were evaluated. They were propagated by rhizomes of big and small classes, as whole and half types, arranged as 2 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme in randomized block experimental design, with four replications. Final population, plant height and fresh mass of leaves and of corms of Chinês taro were significantly superior than ‘Macaquinho’. Regarding to propagule classes used for propagation, big rhizome was the best. The use of whole rhizomes was significantly better than cut rhizomes regarding to final population and yield of fresh mass of corms (RM) and it was similar for plant height and yield of fresh mass of leaves and of cormels (RF). In relation to nutritive compound of rhizomes, RM and RF had contents which were characteristics of the clone. RM and RF of both two clones showed higher contents of fix mineral residue, proteins and carbohydrates and they have smaller contents of lipids and of fibers, as well of total caloric value, than of corn. RM and RF of both two clones had smaller contents of lipids, carbohydrates and TCV in relation to wheat flour.