Effect on Tanier Yields of Artificial Shade Levels and of Intercropping with Plantains

Abstract

Yields of taniers in a field affected by "mal seco" increased from 7,900 kg of tubers and 13,000 kg of corms/ha produced in full sunlight to 12,700 kg of tubers and 22,700 kg of corms/ha produced under 53% artificial shade. In another experiment, where "mal seco" did not occur, yields decreased from 20,660 kg of tubers/ha in full sunlight to 13,960 and 9,090 kg/ha produced under 53 and 70% artificial shade, respectively. Yields of corms, which averaged 20,700 kg/ha, were not appreciably affected by shade levels. In a third experiment, taniers unaffected by "mal seco" produced 17,900 kg of tubers/ha and 48,300 kg of corms/ha when grown alone, but only 7,000 kg of tubers and 33,000 kg of corms/ha when planted together with plantains spaced at 2.4 x 2.4 m. Closer spacing of the plantains and planting the taniers 2 months after the plantains, decreased yi elds of both tubers and corms.