Characteristics of Taro Ready to Harvest

Taro is a food plant and is an herbal plant. Taro belongs to the taro tribe (Araceae), with the characteristics of an upright plant with a height of more than 1 cm. This plant is an annual plant or throughout the year and has a high economy, because the tubers, midribs, and leaves are widely used as food ingredients or can be used as food wrappers instead of banana leaves.

In addition, the remaining tubers are also used as animal feed and fish. Taro plants are very easy to grow in Indonesia because they are related to reforestation and environmental utilization. Taro plants contain perusi acid (blue acid or HCN).

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With the type of roots, namely: fibrous, short, and wild. There are various types of taro in the Bogor area such as Silk Taro, Bentul and Sticky Taro. To harvest the tubers, of course, it must be in accordance with the time when the taro tubers can be harvested so that later they can produce a satisfactory harvest. The following are the characteristics of taro ready to harvest:

Bulb color

Taro harvest ranges from 6-9 months, some are 1 year old, or 5-6 months old with large brownish tubers. For a harvest period of 8-10 months, it has yellowish tubers of the same size.

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Tuber yield

The taro harvest period needs careful attention because the wrong harvest time will reduce the quality of the yield. Harvesting that is too fast will produce taro that is not chewy and fluffier, on the contrary if the harvest is late it will produce taro tubers that are too tight and hard. Taro in the rice field is rotated with rice plants and other types of vegetables.

To choose a good taro seen from the black spots or stripes on the flesh of the taro tuber and the size of the tuber. To remove it, do not use a hoe because it is feared that it will damage the potential seeds from the harvested shoots.

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Leaves begin to turn yellow, wither, and die

Once ready to harvest the leaves will begin to turn yellow, wither and die, and the taro is ready to be harvested. For the harvest, it is recommended not to do it in the rainy season.

Harvesting taro is not as difficult as you would like it to be, very simple with a short period of time. Because the potential of taro is very high as a food commodity or other potentials such as the medical and bioenergy fields  , making the prospects for this cultivation brighter. 

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Taro itself has a fairly high economic value. Bulbs, leaf midribs can be used as food, medicine, and packaging. Leaves and tuber residues can be used as animal feed and fish after fermentation. This plant is able to grow in low water and dry soil.