Evaluation of colocasia (Colocasia esculenta L.) genotypes for yield and quality attributes under natural farming conditions

Abstract

The investigation was conducted during Kharif, 2020 at Research Farm of Research Sub Station Berthin, District Bilaspur, Himachal Pradeshin which 26 genotypes, collected within and outside the state were evaluated for yield and quality attributes in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RBD) with 3 replications. The promising genotypes identified based on mean performance for yield and quality attributes are LC-10 (collection from Baijnath of district Kangra, HP)was found best for highest total yield, cormel yield, cormel diameter, corm yield, number of cormels /plant, sugar and starch content (7 characters) followed by LC-15 (collection from Kolar of district Sirmour, HP)for total yield, cormel yield, cormel diameter, corm yield, crude protein and lowest oxalate content (6characters); LC-8 (collection form Gagret, Tehsil Amb of district Una, HP)recorded highest total yield, cormel yield, number of cormels /plant and total polyphenols (4 characters); LC-14(collection from Sarkaghat of district Mandi, HP) for total yield, cormelyield andnumber of cormels /plant (3 characters), LC-9 (collection from Village Bassi of district Mandi) for total yield, cormel yield and total polyphenols (3 characters). Based on the performance of these genotypes, they can be utilized as source of germplasm in colocasia improvement program under natural farming conditions.