Development of Gocken Multiplication Technology for Cocoyam

Chukwu, G.O and Nwosu, K.I and Mbanaso, E.N.A and Onwubiko, O and Okoye, B.C and Madu, T.U and Ogbonye, H and Nwoko, S.U (2009): Development of Gocken Multiplication Technology for Cocoyam. Forthcoming in: Proceedings of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria No. 43 (20 October 2009)

Abstract

Low multiplication ratio of cocoyam {Colocasia esculenta (taro) and Xanthosoma mafafa (tannia)} and scarcity of planting materials are major constraints militating against sustainable cocoyam production. During harvesting and processing of cocoyam, very small cormels weighing about 7.0 g (micro cormels) and less are discarded as wastes. These ‘wastes’ usually sprout in the wet season to constitute environmental problem. The Gocken Multiplication Technology is a new technology developed at the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Nigeria, for very rapid multiplication of cocoyam by recycling ‘wastes’ of cocoyam (≤7.0 g cormels) in cocoyam production. The technology utilizes a seed rate of about 0.35 - 0.45 t/ha compared to 1.0-2.0 t/ha currently in use. Total corm + cormel yield ranged from 7.34-15.5t/ha. Similarly, seed harvest multiplication ratio (SHMR) ranged from 19.0-39.0, while available yield ranged from 89.5-94.7 %. Economic analysis showed that the benefit cost ratio was 4.24:1.0, indicating that the technology is profitable by returning N4.24 to every N1.00 spent.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Gocken; very rapid multiplication; technology and cocoyam
• Subjects: Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q19 - Other; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q10 - General

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