Extent and impact of dry rot in Xanthosoma sagittifolium (l.) Schott and Colocasia esculenta (l.) Schott in Cuba

Abstract

With the objective of determining the grower perception about t he importance of dry rot on tanier or taro, and the affected rhizome percentage, an interview was des igned and apllied in all provinces from 2008 to 2010. The work included a total of 119 of the 159 municipalities wher e the crop is planted. Based on growers answers, damage caused by this syndrome was identified in 87.82% of the municipalities sampled. When harvesting is developed at the optimun moment 10 to 12 months after planting, rhizomes may show damages between 5 and 20 %. Damage will increase from 21 to 40% if harvesting takes a lo nger period. The origin of planting material and its management constitute one of the main causes for the disease in crement. The average incidence percentage in the country was 23.61% which represent 45.37% in relation to the to tal planted area. The disease incidence occurs mainly in red soils and in summer season.

Keywords

• Xanthosoma
• Colocasia
• planting material
• Cuba.