In Vitro Multiplication of Two Local Taro Varieties (Colocasia Esculenta (L.) Schott) Using Shoot Tip Explants in Togo.

Abstract:

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) is an important crop for global food security. In Togo, its production remains low due to limited high-quality planting material. This study developed an efficient in vitro micropropagation protocol for local taro varieties ‘Kpèkpèou rouge’ (TGUL Ce4) and ‘Kpèkpèou vert’ (TGUL Ce3), using shoot tip explants. Following initiation on modified MS medium, plantlets were evaluated on ten culture media (M0–M9). Quantitative data were analysed using GenStat (12th edition). Treatment effects were assessed by one-way ANOVA, and mean separation was performed using Duncan’s Multiple Range test. For shoot multiplication, the highest number of shoots was obtained on MS+1 mg L⁻¹ BAP+0.75 mg L⁻¹ IAA for ‘TGUL Ce4’ (7.33 ± 2.64) and on MS+2.5 mg L⁻¹ BAP+1 mg L⁻¹ kinetin for ‘TGUL Ce3’ (10.2 ± 2.39). For rhizogenesis, optimal root formation was observed on the control medium, with 14.88 ± 3.44 and 16.8 ± 3.52 roots per explant for ‘TGUL Ce4’ and ‘TGUL Ce3’, respectively. Acclimation success exceeded 96% for both varieties. These findings establish variety-specific and efficient micropropagation protocols that can support the rapid and sustainable production of improved taro planting material in Togo.