CROP HUSBANDRY-AMORPHOPHALLUS CULTIVATION PRACTICES IN KERALA

AMORPHOPHALLUS (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)

Amorphophallus requires fairly long growing season and a rainfall of about 150 cm during the crop period. A well-drained soil of medium texture is suited for this crop.

Season
Corm pieces are normally planted during February-March, before the onset of monsoon.

Variety
Sree Padma: The crop matures in 8-9 months. Cooked tubers are free from acridity.

Preparation of land
Dig pits of 60 x 60 x 45 cm size 90 cm apart. Collect the topsoil to a depth of 15-20 cm separately and fill it after the pits are formed. Apply cowdung or compost at 2-2.5 kg/pit and mix with topsoil.

Seeds and sowing
Tuber cut-pieces weighing about 1 kg are ideal for planting. Dip the pieces in cowdung slurry and allow to dry under shade before planting. After planting, cover the pit with dried leaves or other mulching materials. About 12,000 cut pieces weighing about 12 t are required for planting one hectare. Most of the seed material will germinate within one month after planting. Mealy bugs usually attack the corm in field and store. Avoid planting corms already infested. As a prophylaxis, dip the planting material in monocrotophos 0.02% for 10 minutes.

Minisett planting
Planting of minisett transplant and cormels gives better yield than traditional method. Cormels weighing 75-100 g each can be planted directly in nursery beds at a spacing of 90 x 30 cm.

Aftercultivation
Apply full dose of P2O5 and half the dose N and K2O (N:P2O5:K2O @ 50:50:75 kg/ha) after forty five days of planting along with intercultivation and weeding. Apply second dose of fertilizers (N and K2O @ 50:75 kg/ha) one month after the first application along with intercultivation and earthing up.

Harvesting
The crop will be ready for harvest 8-9 months after planting.