Hybridization and Seed Germination of Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) in Nigeria

• Published in: Journal of crop improvement 2015-01, Vol.29 (1), p.106-116
• Main Authors: Amadi, C. O., Onyeka, J., Chukwu, G. O., Okoye, B. C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: crosses; inflorescence; seedlings; taro cultivars; true taro seed
• ISSN: 1542-7528; 1542-7536
• DOI: 10.1080/15427528.2014.980023

Declining yields of local taro cultivars, worsened in recent years by outbreak of taro leaf blight (TLB), necessitate the development of varieties that combine TLB resistance with high yield and quality. The objective of the experiment was to obtain viable true taro seeds (TTS), the lack of which has hindered local breeding effort to improve taro. Fifteen exotic cultivars of taro, obtained from International Network on Edible Aroids (INEA) as part of an EU-funded project on "Adapting Clonally Propagated Crops to Climatic and Commercial Change," and four local cultivars constituted the crossing block at Umudike (5°24′ to 5°30′ N; 7°31ʹ to 7°37ʹE) in south eastern Nigeria in 2013. One hundred and nine crosses were made, of which 18.3% were successful, but only infructescence from nine crosses developed to maturity and produced seeds. Germination of these TTS started on the 7th day after sowing. Seedlings that developed from these seeds were transplanted into small bags filled with sterilized peat mixed with vermiculite. Each plant is expected to be genetically different from all others and could be a potentially improved cultivar. This is the first report of successful hybridization, production of TTS, and development of seedlings from true seed of taro in Nigeria.