Artificial shading promotes growth of taro plants

Abstract

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a plant with a long crop cycle, what hinders its cultivation in properties with area limitations. The association of crops is an option for this kind of situation. However, in order to plan the cultivation using the intercropping system, it is important to define the tolerance levels of the taro plants and the period of highest sensibility to shading. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of the 'Japanese' taro crop, regarding growth, cultivated under levels and periods of artificial shading. A split-plot randomized block design, with 13 treatments and four replications, was used. The plots consisted of four shading levels (control = full sun, 18 %, 30 % and 50 % of shade), maintained throughout the cycle or during three months, in three periods (initial = 0-3 months; intermediate = 3-6 months; final = 6-9 months). The subplot was composed of eight plant samples (60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240 and 270 days after planting). The shading levels increased the total and specific leaf area, leaf area and mass ratios and dry mass partition. Thus, the taro plants showed the capacity to make leaf adjustments to suit changes in light intensity. The shading intensity of 18 %, during the whole cycle or in any of the periods studied, provides a high expansion of the leaf area.

Impact of phosphorus and luminosity on the propagation, photochemical reactions and quality of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br. seedlings

“…Similar results were observed in Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong (Souza et al, 2017) and Colocasia esculenta L. Schott (Gondim et al, 2018). Both authors described higher values in plants under artificial shading.…”

“…Plants exposed to low luminosity enhance the expansion of leaves (Gondim et al, 2018) as a strategy for use of light. Increasing APRR and RDM may be associated with the fact that under high irradiance, substrate and leaves tend to lose more water through evapotranspiration and leaf transpiration.…”

Morpho-physiological Characterization and Genetic Diversity of Cocoyam Accessions (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott)

“…Aksesi S31 memiliki daun yang paling luas dibandingkan aksesi lain (Gambar 1). Pemberian naungan pada penelitian ini diduga tidak mempengaruhi akurasi data walaupun secara umum talas responsif pada naungan (Gondim et al, 2018). Hal tersebut karena semua aksesi memperoleh perlakuan sama.…”

“…Kandungan klorofil dan karoten paling rendah yakni aksesi S22 dan S31. Kerapatan stomata dan kandungan pigmen daun dipengaruhi oleh cahaya, salinitas, dan nutrisi tanaman (Juneja et al, 2013;Gondim et al, 2018).…”

Jambu varieties performance under shading screens

“…In other words, the increase in shading intensity increases blue light fraction (400-500 nm) and decreases red light fraction (600-700 nm) (Li et al, 2010). Among physiological aspects, leaf anatomy, chloroplast structure and photo-assimilates distribution at the whole plant appear as the most influenced by the luminosity management (Gondim et al, 2018).…”