The effects of varying irrigation water levels (100, 75, and 50% of crop requirements) as well as foliar
application of certain anti-stress agents (proline at 100 and 200 Mg L-1, potassium silicate at 1000 and 2000 Mg
L-1 and algae extract at 2.5 and 5 Ml L-1) on the growth characteristics, chemical compositions, and final corm
yield components of the taro plant (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) under drip irrigation systems were examined
in two field experiments carried out at the experimental farm station, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University,
Egypt, during the growing seasons of 2022 and 2023. The findings demonstrated that raising the water stress
level from 75% to 50% gradually reduced all taro plant growth characteristics. The amount of photosynthetic
pigments decreased as the irrigation water stress level increased. Additionally, increased water stress led to
higher proline concentration and antioxidant enzyme activity in taro corms, while reducing levels of N, P, K,
crude protein, and total carbohydrates. Yield parameters, such as corm length, diameter, number, and weight
plant-1, along with main corm fresh and dry biomass, all decreased with increasing irrigation deficit compared to
full irrigation (100%). The 50% irrigation level showed the most significant reduction in these metrics. The anti
stress treatments substantially reduced the adverse effects of water stress, resulting in significant enhancements
in growth parameters and bioconstituents studied across all irrigation levels. Potassium silicate at 2000 mg L-1
was the most effective treatment, followed by algae extract at 5 ml L-1 and proline at 200 mg L-1. |
