Fresh mass yield of plants of two taro clones (Chinês and Macaquinho) was evaluated to obtain a better gross income for producers in Dourados, Brazil. The taro clones were propagated through four cutting types [small cormel (RFP), half RFP, big cormel (RFG) and half RFG], arranged as a 2x4 factorial scheme in a randomized block design with four replications, between 13/09/2000 and 11/05/2001. Plot measured 1.50 x 1.98 m, with 24 plants arranged in double rows. Plants were harvested 240 days after planting date, when total yield of fresh mass of corms (RM) and of cormels (RF) was evaluated, classified as big, medium or small sized. Cutting costs and expected gross income also were obtained. The yield of RM, RF, total of rhizomes (RM + RF) and commercial rhizomes (RF of big + medium classes) of 'Macaquinho' taro were higher than 'Chinês' with differences of 1.84; 7.11; 8.95 and 4.50 t ha-1 and an increase of gross income (commercial rhizomes x price paid to farmer) evaluated in R$ 841 ha-1. The highest total (46.44 t ha-1) and commercial (27.93 t ha-1) yield of rhizomes and evaluated gross income (R$ 5,586) were obtained with Macaquinho clone, propagated with half RFP.
Colocasia esculenta; propagation; yield; income
