Effects of Soil Moisture on Yield of Eddo (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) by Standard

Abstract

Eddo is a crop that is vulnerable to drought, but there are no guidelines on the timing and amount of irrigation. In this study, the proper soil moisture and the method to control it were examined from the viewpoint of profitability. In 2015, soil moisture content was set at 15%, 25%, and 35% in terms of volume moisture content under rain-shelter cultivation. In 2017, 3 test plots were set: conventional plot (irrigation every seven days), 25% soil moisture plot and no irrigation plot. Merchandise yield (total yield of secondary and tertiary tubers) was high in the 35% soil moisture plot and the conventional plot (soil moisture of 30%), but the yield of the 3L-S size which had a high sales unit price was equivalent to or slightly higher in the 25% soil moisture plot than in the other two treatment plots. On the other hand, the yield of low-quality eddo was low in the 25% soil moisture plot. From these results, high profitability per unit area was attained by controlling the soil moisture around 25%.