Fertilizer Use Efficiency of Taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott) and Nutrient Composition of Taro Tuber by NPK Fertilization

The objectives of fertilizer recommendation are to prevent the application of excessive fertilization and to produce target yields. Also, optimal fertilization is important because crop quality can be influenced by fertilization. In this study, yields and fertilizer use efficiency of Taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott) were evaluated in different level of NPK fertilization. N, P and K fertilizer application rates were 5 levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200%) by practical fertilization (N-P₂O 5 -K₂O = 180-100-150 kg ha -1 ), respectively. In the N treatment, the yields of Taro tuber were about 33 Mg ha-1 from 90 to 360 kg ha -1 N fertilization. However, the ratio of tuber to total biomass decreased with increasing N fertilization rate. In the P and K treatments, yields of Taro tuber were the highest at 150 kg ha -1 fertilization. Fertilizer use efficiency was decreased by increase of N and K fertilization. Crude protein of Taro tuber was the highest at practical fertilization. Sucrose content of tuber was influenced by phosphate application.