2012 report name of partner: caribbean agricultural research and

Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute

2012 Report

Name of Partner: Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI),

Trinidad and Tobago

Name of Project: Adapting clonally propagated dasheen/taro to climatic and commercial changes Project Location: St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Improving Lives through Agricultural Research

St. Lucia Adapting clonally propagated dasheen/taro to climatic and commercial changes Introduction Dasheen/Taro (Colocasia esculenta) and Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) are staples grown mostly by small, marginalised farmers, in high rainfall areas for local consumption, domestic and export markets. The crop provides a nutritious carbohydrate source from the corms, and the leaves are especially nutritious as a vegetable. Taro contributes significantly to food security, agricultural diversification and income generation in the Caribbean. There is potential for wider use, but this is unlikely to be realised immediately, as taro is vegetatively propagated and natural genetic interchange between plants is low. This means that varieties have limited scope to adapt to changing environments. Unless new strategies for taro improvement are devised, smallholders will be deprived of the potential that exists in this crop. On islands where the crop is no longer grown to its past extent, people still favour it over other root crops: it can be grown in areas that are too wet for other crops, the leaves can be used; and it fetches high prices on domestic and overseas markets. In the Caribbean, Colocasia taro and Xanthosoma cocoyam are home gardens crops, important for food security, but increasingly cultivated to satisfy export demand for markets in the USA and Europe The proposal offers partners in developing countries and in Europe, an opportunity to collaborate through a network of scientists from various disciplines (agronomy, breeding, chemistry, human sciences, genetics and virology) and smallholders to adapt genotypes to forthcoming climatic change, and to exploit the potential of the crop for product development. It will demonstrate the wisdom of decentralised breeding, reliant on a broad genetic base, taking taro from different gene pools. Seed, as well as clones (in vitro and virus indexed), from genetically diverse parents, will be the germplasm of choice for international and national transfers, circumventing past difficulties involving quarantine compliance. A further departure from previous attempts to improve the crops will be the involvement of farmers in the breeding programmes, producing selections adapted to their individual needs. Not only will this ensure that the germplasm meets the needs of smallholders, but also help in the dissemination and uptake of the results from the research, linking it with extension from the outset. To underpin the work, the genetics of drought tolerance and corm quality will be determined. In this way, the work will help to create a resurgence of interest in taro, and maintain the competitive position of the crop in face of fast changing environments. Under an EU-ACP Aroid Project “Adapting clonally propagated crops to climatic and commercial changes” research activities will be carried out in St. Lucia and the other Caribbean islands over a period of five years. The project has three overall objectives:

a) to safely transfer germplasm internationally in order to maximise the use of genetic resources from diverse gene pools;

b) to produce new varieties of taro (dasheen)with high agronomic and commercial potential by conventional and participatory breeding;

c) to promote international collaboration among breeders and farmers.

Methodology The methodology to be adopted will involve:

� Importation of in-vitro plantlets from St. Vincent

� Select area in country where in vivo multiplication will take place. Establish quarantine standards at the sites

� Collect local varieties for propagation

� Harden genotypes and plant into field

� Decide what data to collect (early developmental growth, days from transplanting to maturity (50%)

Number of leaves, leaf colour and shape, petiole length and colour, leaf area index,(adult plant) flowering and flower characters (spadix length, colour), time to flowering and shape, number of cormels at maturity, weight of corms and cormels at maturity, shape of central corm and cormels, weeks to maturity. Also Flesh colour fresh and at cooking, cooking time, taste and astringency and sensory evaluation of leaves for eating.

� Monitor and collect data on planted genotypes along with local varieties (rate of growth, number of

leaves, pests and development, destructive harvesting to inspect rhizosphere)

� Analyse data and select 30 best local and introduced varieties

� Select farmers who will take part in project

� Conduct required surveys with farmers

� Raise F1 hybrids

� Distribute C1s to farmers

� Establish and harvest first heritability trial

� Establish and harvest second heritability trial

� Evaluation of morpho-agronomic traits

� Selected genotypes distributed to farmers

� Selected genotypes evaluated by farmers

� C1s propagated and distributed to farmers

� On-farm trial harvested and quality tests done

Results

• The CARDI Unit received another batch comprising of in-vitro tissue culture dasheen/taro plantlets from St. Vincent. This complemented a previous batch that was received the previous year resulting in a total of 38 dasheen genotypes.

• Plantlets have been weaned and hardened at the tissue culture laboratory of the MOA before being planted out at the CARDI DTC (Plate 2)

Plate 2 Dasheen /Taro genotypes established at CARDI DTC

• Morphological descriptors data were collected in the field for each dasheen genotype at 90-120 days

after planting using the IBGRI Descriptors for Taro Colocasia esculenta (Plate 3). The information collected is presented in Table 1 below. Other relevant data will be collected when the plants reach maturity stage.

Plate 3 CARDI Technician collecting dasheen/taro

morphological data at CARDI DTC

Table1Morphological descriptors of dasheen/taro genotypes

Dasheen/Taro Genotypes Pla

nt s

pan

(cm

)

Pla

nt h

eigh

t (cm

)

No.

ofs

tolo

ns

No.

of s

ucke

rs

Leaf

bas

e sh

ape

Leaf

bla

de m

argi

n

Leaf

bla

de c

olou

r

Leaf

bla

de m

argi

n co

lour

Leaf

lam

ina

leng

th/w

idth

rat

io

Leaf

mai

n ve

in c

olou

r

Pet

iole

col

our

(top

third

)

Pet

iole

col

our

(mid

dle

third

)

Pet

iole

col

our

(bas

al th

ird)

Cro

ss s

ectio

n of

low

er p

art o

f pet

iole

Leaf

wax

ines

s

BL/SM/111 80 78 5 7 peltate undulate yellow yellow 38/29 green green green green open low

CE/IND/24 42 30 0 0 peltate undulate yellow yellow 14/11 whitish light green light green light green open low

BL/PNG/03 (C2-E3) 60 48 4 3 peltate undulate purple purple 25/19 purple purple yellow yellow open low

CE/IND/10 (IND225) 56 65 3 9 peltate undulate yellow yellow 29/21 green green green green closed low

BL/SM125 (SALEAPAGA) 76 67 0 5 peltate undulate green purple 34/20 green green green green closed low

BL/SM//136 (MATAUTU) 82 65 0 1 peltate undulate purple purple 37/23 green light green light green light green closed low

BL/SM/151 (LATOGO) 64 84 1 5 peltate undulate purple purple 69/27 green purple purple green closed low

BL/SM132 (FANUATAPU) 70 72 0 7 peltate undulate purple purple 29/19 green purple purple purple closed low

BL/SM/80 (ALAFUA) 120 86 0 4 peltate undulate purple purple 49/26 purple purple purple purple closed medium

BL/SM/134 118 84 0 1 peltate undulate yellow purple 41/29 green green green green closed low

BL/SM/158 135 66 0 6 peltate undulate purple purple 33/23 green green green green closed low

BL/HW/08 61 62 0 4 peltate undulate purple purple 30/20 green purple green green open low

CE/THAT/25 75 55 4 2 peltate undulate yellow purple 32/23 green purple green green open low

BL/HW/37 113 120 0 1 peltate undulate yellow yellow 46/34 green light green light green light green open low


nt s

pan

(cm

)

Pla

nt h

eigh

t (cm

)

No.

ofs

tolo

ns

No.

of s

ucke

rs

Leaf

bas

e sh

ape

Leaf

bla

de m

argi

n

Leaf

bla

de c

olou

r

Leaf

bla

de m

argi

n co

lour

Leaf

lam

ina

leng

th/w

idth

rat

io

Leaf

mai

n ve

in c

olou

r

Pet

iole

col

our

(top

third

)

Pet

iole

col

our

(mid

dle

thir

d)

Pet

iole

col

our

(bas

al th

ird)

Cro

ss s

ectio

n of

low

er p

art o

f pet

iole

Leaf

wax

ines

s

Local Cultivar 84 80 0 1 peltate undulate dark green purple 33/23 green purple green green open low

BL/HW/05 58 117 0 7 peltate sinuate yellow purple 42/27 green light green light green light green closed low

BL/SM/135 75 76 0 10 peltate undulate dark green purple 38/25 green green green green closed

medium

BL/SM/157 64 48 0 4 peltate sinuate purple purple 27/20 green purple purple purple closed low

BL/SM/148 75 62 0 4 peltate sinuate purple purple 30/21 green purple purple purple open low


CE/IND/12 82 48 6 0 peltate undulate purple purple 34/25 green green green green open low

BL/PNG/13 65 80 0 22 peltate undulate yellow green 31/20 green green purple purple closed low

BL/SM/11 49 105 6 3 peltate undulate yellow yellow 43/27 green green green green closed low

CE/IND/19 52 43 11 5 peltate undulate purple purple 28/19 green purple green green open low

CA/JP/01 48 26 0 12 peltate sinuate purple purple 23/17 green purple green green open low

CE/THA/07 43 44 0 12 peltate sinuate yellow yellow 25/15 green purple green green open low



nt s

pan

(cm

)

Pla

nt h

eigh

t (cm

)

No.

ofs

tolo

ns

No.

of s

ucke

rs

Leaf

bas

e sh

ape

Leaf

bla

de m

argi

n

Leaf

bla

de c

olou

r

Leaf

bla

de m

argi

n co

lour

Leaf

lam

ina

leng

th/w

idth

rat

io

Leaf

mai

n ve

in c

olou

r

Pet

iole

col

our

(top

third

)

Pet

iole

col

our

(mid

dle

thir

d)

Pet

iole

col

our

(bas

al th

ird)

Cro

ss s

ectio

n of

low

er p

art o

f pet

iole

Leaf

wax

ines

s


BL/SM/114 70 84 5 1 peltate sinuate purple purple 44/30 green green green green open low

Manakwari 56 48 9 2 peltate sinuate purple purple 27/13 green purple purple green open low

Shogatsu-imo 43 42 2 7 peltate undulate purple purple 21/13 green purple green green open low

Matautu 22 25 0 0 peltate sinuate purple purple 13/9 green purple green green open low

C3-10 43 45 0 0 peltate undulate purple purple 26/17 green purple green green open low

Manano 36 33 0 9 peltate undulate purple purple 20/13 green purple green green closed low

Samoa-13 26 19 0 1 peltate undulate purple purple 16/10 green light green light green light green open low

Klang 12 14 0 2 peltate undulate purple purple 8/6 green purple purple green open low

Samoana 48 49 3 6 peltate undulate green purple 32/21 green purple light green light green open low


St. Vincent and the Grenadines

5.1.1.1.1.3 Evaluation of fifty taro genotypes from the Pacific

Introduction

Taro is a common name for the corms of several plants in the family of Araceae. Colocasiaesculentais the most widely cultivated and in the Caribbean is often referred to as dasheen. There are two local varieties grown in St Vincent, the local white and the local grey and concerns for the narrow genetic pool has been the main factor for CARDI’s involvement in the International Network for Edible Aroids.

The INEA project The International Network for Edible Aroids (INEA) is a consortium of scientists and farmers formed to participate in a project entitled “Adapting clonally propagated crops to climatic and commercial change”. The INEA is led by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Centre de cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Developpement (CIRAD).This five year project uses edible aroids as a model to improve clonally propagated crops in the tropics. Taro rarely flowers and set seed, therefore broaden the genetic baseis necessary to produce plants tht are adaptable to the climatic changes being experienced. Cooperation between countries, and various scientific disciplines (agronomist, breeders, bio-chemistr, sociologist, geneticist, and virologist) is therefore required. The objectives of INEA are to assemble and share genetic resources from diverse genepools, to promote direct collaboration between breeders and farmers, and to develop new varieties with high agronomical potential. The countries involvedin the project are: Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madgascar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Africa, Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent, St. Lucia)and Vanuatu. In each country, experiments will be conducted by a national agricultural research institutions (partners) who have expertise in taro agronomy and breeding. Funding support (3 million Euros) to the project is provided by the Europe Union, and technical support provided by European Institutions (CIRAD; DSMZ;University of Madeira, Portugal; University of Maribor, Slovenia). The multi-stakeholder representation of the network will also demonstrate the wisdom of decentralized breeding, reliant on a broad genetic base, taking taro from different genepools, facilitating the exchange of information and technologies, and provide advice over the long term, beyond the life of the project. At the beginning of the project, a core sample comprising 50 elite taro genotypes from distant geographic origins (presently maintained in vitro in the SPC germplasm collection) were distributed in vitro (three tubes of each) to 16 countries including St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia. These genotypes are being micro-propagated, multiplied

andevaluated with local genotypes. In each country, 30 selected genotypes will be eventually distributed to 5 farmers in 10 villages for evaluation.One of the key factors for genotype selection is farmer and consumer organleptic preference. Country partners will initiate a breeding scheme and produce true taro seeds via targeted controlled crosses, in collaboration with Maribor (Slovenia). They will choose the parents according to their performances and traits. The main criteria for selecting the parents will be their agronomic performances and good taste. The first selection, against disease, and tolerance to drought, will occur four months after planting. A second selection will occur four months after harvest and growth, yield, quality parameters, resistance against pests and diseases, and tolerance to drought will be key criteria. F1 hybrids will be raised and clones propagated after selection of the best genotypes. C1 (first generation clones) will be distributed to farmers for on-farm evaluation. The true taro seed obtained from controlled crosses are shared with other partners In the mean time, samples will be sent to CIRAD, Maribor, Madeira ans DSMZ for specific studies: leaf samples for DNA extraction and genetic diversity studies, dry matter samples for physic-chemical characterization, propagules for drought analyses, and plant tissues for virus studies. A schematic of the planned project operations are shown below.

Scientific

coordination CIRAD, SPC

Assistance to

breeding program University of Maribor

Germplasm distribution

of 50 genotypes in vitro SPC

Introduction of new genetic diversity, field propagation & participatory plant breeding Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madgascar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, the

Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu

Samples

Leaves Dry matter Propagules Plant tissue

Cultivars crossed,

hybrids distributed All country partners

Clonal distribution

in 10 villages All country partners

Molecular

DNA CIRAD, France

Drought

tolerance Madeira, Portugal

Chemical

composition Maribor, Slovenia

Virus

identification DSMZ, Germany

Consensus among breeders :

Exchange true taro seeds

Farmers and on-farm trials :

Genetic base broadening, improved adaptation to climate changes,

correspondence with consumers’ taste and processing

Figure 6Schematic of the planned project operations

Figure 7 shows the activities planned in partner countries

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 In vitro distribution and field propagation : In vitro propagation and distribution of 50 varieties Field propagation Distribution of 30 selected varieties to farmers Breeding & on-farm participatory selection : Conduct controlled crosses Raise F1 hybrids Distribute C1s to farmers DNA (SSRs & SNP) fingerprinting : Establish and harvest first heritability trial Establish and harvest second heritability trial Drought resistance studies : Evaluation of morpho-agronomic traits On-farm trials and participatory activities : Selected genotypes distributed to farmers Selected genotypes evaluated by farmers C1s propagated and distributed to farmers On-farm trial harvested and quality tests done Two papers published in international journals

Figure 7 Activities planned in partner countries

Activities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Materials and Methods

Multiplication of genotypes (plant material)

Multiplication of planting material was through micro-propagation at the T C Laboratory and weaning and hardening facilities in Orange Hill. Taro micro-propagation, weaning and hardening systems are shown in Plates 4 and 5.

Plates4Taro plants undergoing micro-propagation at the Tissue Culture Lab in Orange Hill in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Plate5Taro plants undergoing weaning and hardening at the Orange

Hill facility in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Rivulet(Evaluation of genotypes) Located in Dormain II . Annual average rainfall is 1 900 mm, with 2 - 3 dry months annually. The altitude is between 90 to 180 meters. The soils are described as low level yellow earths, which is a group of soils, characterized by their brownish color and friable consistence. This kind of soil are sandy clay loam, dark brown, markedly acid, and of low to medium fertility status. Preliminary observation of the fifty genotypes took place at the Ministry of Agriculture Research Station in Rivulet. The site was choose because of its close proximity to the CARDI Office. The plantings were in two batches. Diagrams of Batch 1 and 2 plantings are shown in Figures 8 and 9; Plates 6 and7.Genotype performance re vigour was variable both in culture and open field; and as a result the number of plants available for monitoring was inconsistent and at the end of the experiment, passport data was collected on thirty-seven genotypes. Management of the genotypes was according to the Guide in producing and handling Export Quality Dasheen in the Caribbean.International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) descriptors were used for collecting data on morphological characteristics.

Figure 8 Layout of taro plot at Rivulet Agricultural Station: Batch 1

B: Bokula*Planted: 2nd

November 2011 Fertilized (TSP): 22nd

November 2011Fertilized (NPK: 16:8:24+4MgO): 20th

December 2011

* Planted: 29th

November 2011Fertilized (TSP): 5th

December 2011Fertilized (NPK: 16:8:24+4MgO): 20th

December 2011

* Planted: 20th

December 2011

1 B

C9

9-1

1

2

IND

17

8

3

IND

22

5

4M

an

ok

wa

ri

5K

lan

g

6K

lua

ng

7 P

H 1

57

8 C

2-E

3

9 C

3-1

0

10 C

3-1

2

11S

am

oa

na

12A

lafu

a

13S

am

oa

na

14M

an

on

o

15Fa

nu

ata

pu

16M

ata

uta

17V

aim

au

ga

18Le

pa

19Le

tog

o

20S

ale

ap

ag

a

21S

uri

n

22 T

a D

ae

ng

23K

lon

gla

n

24B

ok

lua

25

Sh

og

ats

u-i

mo

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * * *

* * * * * * *

* * * *

*

*

Figure 9 Layout of taro plot at Rivulet Agricultural Station: Batch 2

* Planted: 20th

December 2011

GENOTYPES (NUMBER of PLANTS)

VA

RIE

TY

Ta

ke

no

ko

-im

o

Miy

ak

o

Tsu

ron

ok

o

Ph

ay

ao

Kh

am

in

Srisa

mro

ng

IND

51

2

He

jo

Lam

pu

tara

IND

23

7

IND

15

5

Lalo

ma

nu

Ma

lae

-o-le

-la

Ma

lae

la 2

Ap

ia

Sa

pa

pa

lii

Nu

'ute

le 2

Ma

nu

Sa

lelo

log

a

Pa

uli

C3

-46

C3

-22

Pa

'ak

ala

PE

x PH

15

-6

20

00

-21

* * * 0 0 * * * * * * 0 * 0 * * 0 0 * * 0 * 0 * *

* * * * * * * * *

* * * * * *

* *

Nu

mb

er o

f pla

nts

Plate 6 Taro genotypes planted at Rivulet Agricultural Station

Plate 7 Taro genotypes planted at Rivulet Agricultural Station

Richland Park(Evaluation of genotypes)

The main area of dasheen production in St. Vincent is Richland Park and Greiggs, these areas are located in the Domain III . This domain is characterized by annual rainfall of 2,150 to 2,500 mm,with only one dry month. Altitude is over 180 meters. There is a high level of yellow earth, a group of soils characterized by its yellow color and soapy consistence. Richland Park and Greiggs are part of the Greggs series. The Greggs series is characterized by loam and clay loam soils, with a dark brown color and aheavy texture. These soils have good drainage and fertility medium low. They are acidic and low in phosphates, medium to medium low in organic matter and nitrogen. The potash range is very variable, from medium low to very high.

Field plan for the farmer plot at Richland Park planted in September 2012is shown below. Only TC plantlets were used in this location. Fifteen genotypes were planted in this location and the number of “blue spots” indicates the number of plants planted (Figure 10; Plates 8 and 9).

Nuutele 2 Miyako PExPH15-

6 Alafua Saleagapa Local

white Local

grey Fanuatapu IND512 Letogo

C3-46

Samoa Manono

BC 99-11

Malae-

o-le-la

Figure 10 Layout of taro plot at Richland Park (farm of GlendalynCotoy)

Plate 8 Taro genotypes planted at Richland Park

Plate 9 Taro genotypes planted at Richland Park

Rabacca(Evaluation of genotypes)

Rabacca is located in DormainIVa in the North Eastern part of the Island. Annual rainfall is below 2150 mm, numbers of dry months are 3 – 6, altitude is below 180 meters and the soils are characterized as recent volcanic ash soils. The plot established (21st and 22nd August 2012) at Rabacca comprised 46 genotypes: C2-E3, Hejo, Malaela 2, C3-46, Manu, Ind 512, Pa’akala, Tsuronoko, Srisamrong, Salelologa, BC99-11, Klang, Ind 237, Samoana, 2000-21, Bokulua, Lamputara, Ind 155, Alafua, Ta Daeng, C3-10, C3-12, Fanuatapu, Lepa, Letogo, Vaimauga, Manono, Apia, Pauli, Malae-o-le-la, Ph157, Kluang, Ind225, Ind 178, Saleapaga, Manokwa, Klonglan, C3-22, Shogasu-imo, Surin, PExPH15-6, Matauta, Sapapalii and Miyako, Local white, Local grey (Figure 10; Plates 10 and 11). Both TC plantlets and suckers obtained from the harvested plot in Rivulet were used.

Loca

l G

rey

Loca

l G

rey

C2

E3

He

jo

Ma

lae

la 2

C3

-46

Ma

nu

Ind

12

Pa

a l

ea

la

Tsu

ron

ok

o

Sri

sam

ron

g

Sa

lelo

log

a

BC

99

-11

Kla

ng

Ind

23

7

Sa

mo

ne

a

20

00

-21

Bo

ku

lua

Lam

pu

tara

Ind

15

5

Ala

fua

Ta

Da

en

g

C3

-10

C3

-12

Fa

nu

ata

pu

Lep

a

Leto

go

Va

ima

ug

a

Ma

no

no

Ap

ia

Pa

uli

Ma

lae

-o-l

e-l

a

PH

15

7

Kla

ng

Ind

22

5

Ind

17

8

Sa

lea

pa

ga

Ma

no

kw

ari

Klo

ng

lan

C3

-22

Sh

og

ats

u-i

mo

Su

rin

PE

xP

H1

5-6

Ma

tau

tu

Sa

pa

pa

lii

Miy

ak

o

represents slips represents Tissue culture

Figure 10 Two sections of the Taro genotype plot at the CARDI Rabacca Research Staion in St Vincent and the Grenadines

Plate 10 Taro genotypes planted at Rabacca

Plate 11 Taro genotypes planted at Rabacca

Data was collected using standardized morphological descriptors from the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) for characterizing taro germplasm collections. Descriptors are shown below:

1. Passport:

1.1. Germplasm type: Cultivated (1), Wild (2), Feral (3), Ornamental (4), Breeding line (5), Undetermined (6). 1.2. Growing conditions: Lowland (1), Wetland (2), Natural swamp (3), Atoll (4), Slopes (5). 1.3. Altitude: Lowlands (<500) (1), Mid-elevations (500-1000) (2), High altitude (>1000) (3). 1.4. Botanical variety: Dasheen (1), Eddoe (2), Intermediate (3). 2. Vegetative growth: 2.1. Stolon formation: Absent, Partly present, Plant with stolons only. 2.2. Plant height: Dwarf (>50 cm), Medium (50-100 cm), Tall (100-150 cm), Very tall (>150 cm). 2.3. Shape of lamina: Flat, Drooping lobes, Drooping edges, Cup shaped, Umbrella shaped. 2.4. Orientation of lamina: Vertical, Semi-vertical, Tip pointing downwards, Semi-horizontal, Horizontal. 2.5. Leaf lamina margin: Entire, Undulated (narrow waves), Undulated (broad waves). 2.6. Lamina colour: Whitish, Yellow, Normal green, Dark green, Light purple, Dark purple. 2.7. Variegation of lamina: Absent, Present. 2.8. Sinus: Narrow pointed (<45°), Wide (>45°), Rounded, Broad and rounded, Overlapping edges. 2.9. Vein junction: Whitish, Yellow, Light green, Dark green, Light purple, Dark purple, Red, Not uniform. 2.10. Colour of leaf petiole: Light green, Dark green, Red, Light purple, Dark purple, Brown-purple. 2.11. Variation on petiole: None, Upper part darker, Light lines, Dark lines, Red lines, Purple lines, Brown lines, Light blotches, Dark blotches. 2.12. Flowering: Never flowering, Rarely flowering, Often flowering. 2.13. Resistance against leaf blight: Very susceptible, Susceptible, Tolerant, Resistant, Immune. 3. Corm characteristics: 3.1. Maturity: Very early (<4 m), Early (4-6 m), Intermediate (6-8 m), Late (8-10 m), Very late (>10 m). 3.2. Corm shape (*): Round, "dumb-bell", Conical, Elliptical, Cylindrical, Branched, Elongate, Flat, Cluster. 3.3. Weight: Very small (<0.25kg), Small (0.25-0.5kg), Medium (0.5-2kg), Large (2-4kg), Very large (>4kg). 3.4. Flesh colour: White, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red, Red-purple, Purple, Colour is not uniform. 3.5. Eating quality :Not edible, Poor quality, Acceptable, Good, Very good, Excellent.

General agronomic practices

Holes were dug approximately 1½ ft wide and 2 ft deep. Spacing used was 2ft x2ft.Data was collected from three random selected plants. Genotypes for which TC plantlets and suckers were used, three randomly selected plants from each planting material type were selected. Suckers were dipped in a fungicide Rizolex (Tolclofos-methyl) / pesticide Fastac (Alphacypermethrin) mixfor five minutes,then air dried. Management of the genotypes was according to the Guide in producing and handling Export Quality Dasheen in the Caribbean. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) descriptors were used for collecting data on morphological characteristics. On 29th and 30th November 2012 and the4th January 2013, data was collected on plant height, petiole length and number of leaves for each plant which was selected. A measuring tape was used and data was recorded in centimetres. Also recorded were data on stolon and flower formation. Data on other morphological characteristics will be collected when the plants are approximately six months old. Results

Rivulet

Passport data for the observation plot at Rivulet was completed. A sample using the genotype Klang is shown in Plate 12 and a detailed passport data set is attached.

Klang Origin : Malaysia

Stolon formation : Absent

Number of suckers 09/05/2012 : 10.3

06/06/2012 : 19

Plant height : 62.2 cm

Shape of lamina : Umbrella shaped

Orientation of lamina :Tip pointed downwards

Leaf lamina margin : Undulate

Lamina colour : Green

Variegation of lamina : Present

Sinus : Wide

Vein junction : Light purple

Color of leaf petiole : Whitish

Variation on petiole : Upper part darker

Flowering : Rarely flowering

Maturity : Late

Corm shape : Round

Weight :

Plate 12 Passport data for the genotype Klang

Richland Park Observations Table 2 shows in Richland Park the most vigourous genotypes to date are the Ind 512, BC99-11, Nu’utele 2 and the Fanuatapu, with plant height measurements of 97.7, 86.7, 86.1 and 79.7 cm respectively. The genotypes which flowered are the Letogo, Local White, Saleapaga and the PExPH15-6. Only the genotype Letogo formed stolons.

Table 2 Mean growth characteristics of 15 Taro Genotypes at Richland Park for the INEA project

Taro Genotpyes

Parameter

measured

Leto

go

Ind

51

2

Fa

nu

ata

pu

Loca

l g

rey

Loca

l w

hit

e

Sa

lea

pa

ga

Ala

fua

PE

xP

H1

5-6

Ma

no

no

Miy

ak

o

C3

-46

Sa

mo

a

BC

99

-11

Ma

lae

-o-l

e-l

a

Nu

'ute

le 2

Planting

material TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC

Plant height

(cm) 64.1 97.7 79.7 50.8 69.0 69.9 60.6 71.1 82.4 46.0 60.8 63.4 86.7 67.4 86.1

Petiole

length (cm) 49.7 67.8 55.8 34.3 46.2 50.4 42.7 49.5 55.8 28.0 42.8 42.8 61.0 50.0 57.5

Number of

leaves 7 8 7 6 6 6 6 5 7 6 6 7 5 5 7

Flowering 5\42 8\56 13\26 4\8

Stolon 28\42

Note: 5\42 means five (5) out of forty two (42) plants had stolon formation or had flowered

Rabacca

Observations

Table 3 shows the most vigourous genotypes are the C3-10, 2000-21 and the Pa’akala genotypes were the most vigorous, with plant height measurements of 99, 95.3 and 94.0 cm respectively. The Hejo, BC99-11, Klang, Lamputara, Ind 155, Alafua, C3-12, Lepa, Letogo, Manono, Pauli,PH 157, Kluang, Ind 225, Ind 178, Saleapaga, C3-22, Surin, Manokwa and Matauta all flowered and the Hejo, Ind 237,Ind 225and Ind 178 produced stolons. Overall plant height measurements showed that suckers were more vigorousthan TC plantlets. Table 3 Mean Growth Characteristics of 46 Taro Genotypes at CARDI’s Rabacca

Research Station three months after planting Taro Genotypes

Parameter

measured

Loca

l W

hit

e

Loca

l G

rey

C3

-E3

He

jo

Ma

lae

la 2

C3

-46

Ind

51

2

Pa

'ak

ala

Tsu

ron

ok

o

Sri

sam

ron

g

Sa

lelo

log

a

BC

99

-11

Kla

ng

Ind

23

7

Sa

mo

an

a

20

00

-21

Bo

ku

lua

Lam

pu

tara

Planting

material TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC TC S S S S TC S S TC S S TC

Plant

height 42.6 60 56.5 62.5 67 66.5 94 39.5 38.9 92.2 101 76.2 67.8 36 80.3 110 95.3 45.7 66.7 90.7

Petiole

length

(cm)

28.4 37.8 36.7 43 46 33.2 64.8 25.2 22.3 64.2 68.5 52.7 42.5 23.5 56.5 80.7 67.2 29.5 44.7 63.5

Number

of leaves 7 5 7 6 7 6 6 5 7 6 6 7 6 6 7 7 7 6 6 6

Flowering 1\4 1\10 1\9 5\10 2\7

Stolon 1\4 2\4

Taro Genotype

Parameter

measured

Ala

fua

Ta

Da

en

g

C3

-10

C3

-12

Fa

nu

ata

pu

Lep

a

Leto

go

Va

ima

ug

a

Ma

no

no

Ap

ia

Pa

uli

Ma

lae

-o-l

e-

la

PH

15

7

Klu

an

g

Ind

22

5

Ind

17

8

Planting

material S TC S S S S S TC S TC S TC S S TC S S S S TC S

Plant

height 94 73 74.3 99 84.3 85 69 68 77.5 62 92.2 68 73 86 53.2 58.2 70 64.2 78 65 58

Petiole

length

(cm)

73 51 54 67.7 55.3 60 44 42.2 53 42 52.2 45 49.2 58 35 40 45.2 44 55 44 40.2

Number

of leaves 7 6 6 7 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 5 6 9 7 7 5 6

Flowering 1\10 9\10 2\10 2\10 2\10 9\10 8\10 1\8 1\8 3\7 7\10 5\10

Stolon 2\7 2\10

Taro

Genotypes

Parameter

measured

Ma

no

kw

a

Klo

ng

lan

C3

-22

Sh

og

ats

u-

imo

Su

rin

Ma

tau

ta

Sa

pa

pa

lii

Miy

ak

o

Planting

material TC S TC S S

S

TC S S TC TC

Plant

heightl 46 37.6 35 83 50 44 84 75 74 76 33

Petiole

length(cm) 32 23 23 56 33 28 58.2 50.5 50.5 52.5 19

Number of

leaves 6 7 5 6 7 6 5 8 7 6 5

Flowering 1\8 2\5 2\10 2\2

Stolon

Note: 1\8 means one (1) out of eight (8) plants had stolon formation or has flowered

Conclusion

Bulking up of plant material for large scale on farm trials continues, while simultaneous observing the performance and morphological characteristics of the genotypes. Organoleptic tests of the genotypes will be the main determining factor for selecting genotypes for large scale on-farm trials. This will be linked with yield and morphological characteristics during the participatory on-farm planned breeding activities.

2012 report name of partner: caribbean agricultural research and

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