The Quality of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Corm Flour on Various Tropical Habitat

Abstract

Aims: to provide information on the Quality of Taro (Colocasia esculenta) Corm Flour on Various Tropical Growing Media. Study Design: The research design used in this study is descriptive research, a research method used to investigate the condition of the object directly in a non-experimental manner. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Soil Laboratory, The Faculty of Agriculture, Mulawarman University, Indonesia, between June 2023 and February 2024. Methodology: The data collection method employed involves gathering primary data through direct observation of the objects and their environments according to the observation parameters. The stages of the research conducted include a pre-survey to gather information regarding the growing habitats of taro. After the pre-survey, a survey is conducted at several locations with terrestrial, semi-terrestrial, and neuston habitats. Once the taro habitats are identified, the determined locations are explored to select sampling points. Four sample points are taken at each taro growth location. The samples collected are the largest taro corms that are ready for harvest. Subsequently, the processing and observation of the taro corm flour are carried out. Results: The terrestrial habitat is the best condition to improve the quality of taro flour (Colocasia esculenta) compared to the semi-terrestrial and neuston habitats. The terrestrial habitat consistently shows higher nutrient content, including fat, total carbohydrates, sucrose, total sugar, crude fiber, and starch. The environmental conditions in the terrestrial habitat, such as optimal water availability, light intensity that supports photosynthesis, and adequate nutrients, provide an ideal environment for the accumulation of essential nutrients in taro corms. Conclusion: It was found that the habitat in which taro corms grow has a significant influence on the quality of the corms. The terrestrial habitat appears to be the most supportive environment for the accumulation of these nutrients, followed by the neuston habitat, and lastly, the semi-terrestrial habitat.