Taro & Cocoyam Programme

The Taro and Cocoyam Research Programme is one of the seven crop-based programmes of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike. Effective research on cocoyam in Nigeria began in 1976, when cocoyam became one of the Institute’s mandate crops for the study and improvement of important root and tuber crops.

Cocoyam comprises Taro (Colocasia esculenta) and Tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), which are cultivated mainly for their corms and cormels. The Programme undertakes research aimed at improving the productivity, quality, propagation, utilization, and overall development of cocoyam.

Programme Objectives

The objectives of the Taro and Cocoyam Research Programme include:

• Developing new genotypes and improving and promoting landraces with desirable food and industrial qualities.
• Developing and promoting genotypes with high aesthetic values for landscaping and environmental management.
• Multiplying healthy planting materials for dissemination to farmers.
• Developing low-input, socially acceptable, environmentally sound, and economically viable technologies.
• Developing environmentally friendly strategies for the control of pre- and post-harvest pests and diseases.
  
  

Research and Development

Research activities within the Programme cover the cultivation, propagation, genetic improvement, utilization, and management of cocoyam. The Programme maintains cocoyam germplasm comprising Xanthosoma and Colocasia materials and has undertaken the evaluation of landraces and exotic genotypes for adaptability, yield, physical characteristics, and suitability for value-added products.

Research has also examined cocoyam cultivation under different field conditions, weed management, soil fertility, planting material multiplication, micro-propagation, mutagenesis, flowering induction, hybridization, and seed germination.

Planting Material Development

One of the notable areas of research has been the development of Goken multiplication technology for the rapid multiplication of cocoyam corms and cormels. The technology uses small planting materials known as micro cormels and micro setts and was developed to address challenges associated with the scarcity and cost of planting materials.

The Programme has also undertaken micro-propagation through tissue culture as a means of producing clean planting materials for elite cultivars. Meristem explants have been used to produce disease-free planting materials, while research has also explored the use of cassava starch as a replacement for imported gelrite in the in-vitro multiplication medium.

Germplasm and Genetic Improvement

The Programme maintains cocoyam germplasm comprising Colocasia and Xanthosoma cultivars. Research has included the evaluation of local landraces and exotic taro genotypes for their adaptability, yield, physical characteristics, and resistance to taro leaf blight.

Research on flowering induction has also been undertaken, with studies demonstrating the use of gibberellic acid, nitrogen fertilization, and sett size to improve flowering and fruiting in cocoyam.

In 2013, the Nigerian cocoyam breeding team successfully carried out hybridization, produced True Taro Seeds (TTS), and developed seedlings from these seeds using exotic and local taro cultivars. This work contributed to efforts to broaden the genetic base of cocoyam.

Value Addition and Utilization

The Programme has evaluated cocoyam landraces for their suitability for different value-added products. Research has identified cocoyam materials suitable for products including:

• Cocoyam flour
• Cocoyam chips
• Cocoyam frizzle
• Cocoyam fries

These activities support the development and utilization of cocoyam beyond its traditional forms.

Research Achievements

The Taro and Cocoyam Research Programme has recorded achievements in several areas of cocoyam research and technology development. These include:

• Development of Goken multiplication technology for rapid multiplication of cocoyam planting materials.
• Evaluation of local cocoyam landraces for adaptability and productivity.
• Evaluation of exotic taro genotypes for yield, maturity, physical characteristics, and resistance to taro leaf blight.
• Development of micro-propagation techniques for producing clean planting materials.
• Successful induction of flowering and fruiting in cocoyam through research on appropriate treatments.
• Successful hybridization and generation of True Taro Seeds for raising cocoyam seedlings.
• Evaluation of cocoyam landraces for their suitability for value-added products.
• Expansion of the genetic base of cocoyam germplasm through the introduction and collection of additional materials.
• Development of technologies and research outputs supporting cocoyam production, utilization, and value addition.
  
  

Contribution to Cocoyam Development

Through its research and technology development activities, the Taro and Cocoyam Research Programme has built knowledge and technologies covering genetic improvement, germplasm development, planting material multiplication, agronomic practices, disease management, post-harvest utilization, and value addition.

The Programme’s research outputs provide a foundation for improving cocoyam production and utilization and for supporting farmers interested in the cultivation of the crop.