Effects of natural environmental factors on growth and tuber production of Tacca leontopetaloides (Polynesian arrowroot), an underutilized food crop

---

Résumé

This study investigated the effects of natural environmental factors on growth and tuber production of Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze. Data were collected from 74 plots installed in natural vegetation across different climate and soil conditions in Burkina Faso. Results showed that the climate zone has a significant influence on total height, leaf area, and tuber weight of the species (p ˂ 0.05, respectively), with the highest values in the rainiest zone. Soil texture exhibited a significant effect on tuber weight (p ˂ 0.05). The highest tuber yield was recorded on sandy loam soils and the lowest on sandy clay soils, with mean values estimated at 20.72 ± 23.48 and 9.6 ± 4.13 kg ha−1, respectively. Land cover, soil potassium, and phosphorus positively influenced tuber weight of the species, while only phosphorus significantly affected aboveground growth traits (total height and leaf area). Our findings could inform the domestication strategies of T. leontopetaloides in dry tropical areas and contribute to food security.

Mots-clés

Food security, Growth traits, Land cover, soil types, Tuber yield, Aridity gradient