Chromosome Variation in Taro, Colocasia esculenta: Implications for origin in the Pacific

Abstract

Further cytological study of Colocasia taro in the Pacific utilizing karyotypic data has produced a hypothesis for two separate lineages of the plant within contemporary populations. This provides support for domestication in the western Pacific independent of diffusion of Asian cultigen forms, but it is indicated that confirmation awaits more comprehensive karyotyping of Indian and Southeast Asian material.