Cultivation of Colocasia (Arbi): A Guide From Planting to Harvest

Table of Contents

• An Overview of Arbi Cultivation in India
• Varieties of Arbi/Arvi in India
• Steps for Arbi Cultivation
  • Climate & Soil Required
  • Land Preparation
  • Agronomic Practices
  • Harvesting, Care and Marketing
  • Storage
• What to do to have a Good Arbi Crop?

An Overview of Arbi Cultivation in India

In the family Araceae, Colocasia is a genus of flowering plants native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is a fast-growing tropical perennial known for its massive, heart-shaped, peltate leaves, which often point downward. Colocasia plant is a popular, low-maintenance, starchy root vegetable in India, thriving in warm, moist climates, particularly during the monsoon season. The best seasons for cultivation are June-July, and February–March.

So, now let’s check out the varieties of Arbi/Arvi that are mostly grown in India.

Varieties of Arbi/Arvi in India

In India, there is a wide variety of Colocasia tubers. However, Co 1, Panchamukhi, Satamukhi (Kovvur), Sree Kiran, Sree Pallavi, Punjab Arvi-1, and Sree Rashmi are the popular cultivars. These varieties are primarily utilized for their edible corms and tubers, which are staples in Indian cuisine.

Steps for Arbi Cultivation

Arbi cultivation involves a structured process that includes good climate and soil, land preparation, plantation, nutrient management and manuring, Irrigation, Weeding, pest and disease management, and harvesting. So, let’s move forward and learn about the Colocasia cultivation process:

Climate & Soil Required

Arbi/Arvi is a warm season crop that requires 120-150 mm of rainfall per year. Hence, assured irrigation is a prerequisite for successful crop production. This crop can be cultivated in various soil types, but the ideal soil is sandy loam and loamy soils with sufficient organic matter. Remember, soils with poor drainage will produce low-quality Colocasia vegetables.

Land Preparation

Land preparation is one of the most important steps that you need to follow to produce a high-quality crop. Thoroughly prepare the land with 2-3 ploughings and plankings, and clear weeds and stubble. You need to plough the land with a fine tilth. And after that form ridges and furrows at a spacing of 45 cm. Moreover, in sandy loam soil, you must follow the pit method.

Agronomic Practices

The next step is agronomic practices, which involve understanding Sowing and Seed Rate, Method of Sowing, Manures and Fertilisers, Irrigation, and Hoeing. You can check out these steps in detail for a successful crop:

Sowing and Seed Rate: 300-400 kg of medium-sized healthy corms are sufficient to plant one acre. Arvi can be sown during Feb-Mar in North India or Jun-Jul in warmer regions.

Method of Sowing: The corms are sown 6 to 7.5 cm deep, with a spacing of 67.5x15 cm or 45x20 cm between rows.

Manures and Fertilizers: Arvi is a heavy feeder and requires 10-15 tonnes of well-rotted farmyard manure, which should be added in the field before sowing. In addition, 40 kg of N (90 kg of Urea), 20 kg of K2O (35 kg of Muriate of Potash), and 20 kg of P2O5 (125 kg Superphosphate) per acre should be applied. 1/2 N and the whole of P2 O5 and K2 O should be added at the time of sowing, while the remaining 1/2 N should be applied 35-45 days after sowing at the time of hoeing, weeding and earthing up.

Irrigation: Arvi requires regular irrigation for uniform sprouting; therefore, irrigate the field immediately after sowing and keep it wet until germination is complete. Irrigate 118 the field at 3-4 day intervals during the summer and as and when required, during the rainy season.

Hoeing: Control weeds with one or two hoeing. Also, earthing up should be done after each hoeing.

Harvesting, Care and Marketing

Now, the crop is ready to be reaped after 175-200 days of sowing, and when the leaves start to show chlorosis, it is a sign of maturity. The corms of Colocasia from early harvest are comparatively soft and are suitable for table purposes. However, it cannot be stored for long. The field moisture should be sufficient at the time of harvesting to facilitate easy corm lifting. This can be done with spades or with other hand tools. The corms should be cleaned after harvesting, and the primary corms should be separated from the other corms.

Storage

After harvesting, it is time to store the crop. The secondary corms, separated from the primary ones, are used for seed storage. The seed corms should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent rot. The seed corms can be stored in the pits or in the cold store.

What to do to have a Good Arbi Crop?

It is normal to face some issues during the process of growing a healthy Arbi crop, but it is not hard or impossible to achieve. To achieve high yields, you need to follow some steps. Check out some tips that you can use to get the best Colocasia Plant:

• For better results, plant at the beginning of the spring season.
• Keep the soil consistently moist, as the crop requires plenty of water.
• Perform 1-2 weedings, and earth up the soil around the plants 45-60 days after planting to support tuber development.
• Remove small, inefficient suckers from the mother plant during weeding.