Using benzyl adenine or coconut water to induce taro sucker and stolon production for increased planting material propagation

This study evaluated the effect of coconut water and benzyl adenine on the stimulation of corms for stolon and sucker production for increased planting material production. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used. There were four levels of benzyl adenine (BA): 5 mg L-1/plant, 1.0 mg L-1/plant, 1.5 mg L-1/plant and zero treatment as control; four levels of coconut water (CO): 10 ml/plant; 15 ml/plant; 20 ml/plant and zero treatment as control and two taro varieties; BLSM 80 and BLSM 16. Results showed that the appropriate level of benzyl adenine required for inducing more stolon and sucker production was 1.5 mgL-1. Optimum levels of coconut water required was 15 ml. A multiplication ratio of 1:15 and 1:16 suckers and stolons for CO and BA treatments, respectively was achieved. Planting the suckers in three cycles in a year, a potential of 3,375 or 4,096 stolons and suckers could be generated when the taro is treated with either CO or BA respectively. Benzyl adenine or coconut water can be used to induce many stolons and suckers to generate more planting materials. Farmers who cannot obtain commercially made benzyl adenine can use coconut water for the process.