Aroids and Water Relations: An Overview

Abstract

Major edible aroids, elephant foot yam, taro and tannia constitute staple food for the low income group and tribal people in India. As such their yield potential has not been well realized. Limited studies have been conducted on the scientific water management, especially water relations and water requirement of aroids. These crops are mostly rainfed. However, they are known to have high water requirement due to great transpiration loss and long duration. Their large leaves are extensive transpiring surfaces through which large quantities of water are transpired. Effects of water deficit stress during various phases of these crops are reported to affect the productivity, particularly, if stress occurs during the tuber bulking phase rather than tuber initiation or maturation phases. Elephant foot yam produces large corms when water supply is adequate. Continuous flooding adversely affects the performance. The initiation of sprouts from seed corms to initiation of senescence is decided by the availability of soil moisture. Taro comes up well in moist environments. Tuber bulking phase has been considered as the most critical phase in taro. Tannia is relatively more tolerant to dry conditions and is sensitive to water-logging, but performs better under irrigation especially when rainfall is irregular. Thus water can be considered as the most critical input in aroid cultivation. Limited studies conducted on water management and water relations of major edible aroids are reviewed here.