Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol.4, No.11, 2014 97 Response of Polynesian Arrowroot Tacca leontopetaloides to Fertilizer and Intra-Row Spacing at Garkawa Pate, H.S, S.H, Badi, H.D. Dikwahal, G.G. jibung and M.D. Molchen Department of Agricultural Technology Plateau State College of Agriculture, Garkawa. Nigeria Abstract A field experiment was conducted at the Plateau State College of Agriculture, Garkawa to investigate the response of Polynesian arrowroot to fertilizer sources and intra-row spacing in 2011 and 2012 wet seasons. Treatments consisted of three intra-row spacing (20, 25, 30cm) and five fertilizer sources (NPK, poultry manure, goat manure, cow dung and a control).These were factor ally combined and laid on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Polynesian arrowroot growth related characters (plant height, Leaf area) increased with decreased levels of intra-row spacing. Similarly, number of tillers/ha as well as fresh bulb weight kg/ha increased with decreased levels of intra-row spacing. The use of NPK fertilizer and poultry manure gave significant differences among all the fertilizer sources tried in both years. It is therefore concluded that among the intra-row spacing tried 20 and 25 cm were most appropriate, while among fertilizer sources tried NPK fertilizer and poultry manure were most appropriate. Keywords: Polynesian arrowroot, Fertilizer, Manure, Intra-row spacing Introduction In spite of its importance as a food source in Nigeria (Spennemann,1994) as a starch in stiffening fabrics (Tangden,2004) and as a panacea in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery (John-Rey,1997), Polynesian arrow root (Tacca leontopetoloides) or locally called ‘Amora’ is still a wild plant in Nigeria (Ukpabi, 2009). Polynesian arrowroot is indigenous to Nigeria based on the abundance of wild species and very large diversities that are found in Plateau and Nasarawa States of Nigeria. In areas where Polynesian arrowroots are used, almost all the varieties are used as a delicacy for newly wedded couples. The medicinal value of taccalin found in the tuber as well as the seeds cherished by the birds’ needs further investigation (Ukpabi , 2009). Tubers are dug out after harvest of major staple crops. In fresh form, the leaves are harvested and used for various dietary preparations. The production and use of this crop has been hampered by its inability to be domesticated. There is insufficient knowledge on the way it should be grown, there is a knowledge gap on the optimum spacing required for the growth of the crop as well as the quantity and type of fertilizer required. Major constraints facing farmers wishing to grow Polynesian arrowroot and many other indigenous crops is lack of scientific information. However, the rains nowadays are unpredictable, unreliable and highly vulnerable to the vagaries of weather such that the demand for food in Nigeria always exceeds its supply, Borokin and Ayodele(2012). Indigenous crops can withstand the effect of drought and weather stress hence increasing quantity of food production. When Polynesian arrowroot (Tacca leontopetaliodes) [L.] Kuntze is domesticated, what is the effect on the crop? What type of fertilizer should be applied and at what rate to optimized its yield? What is the maximum intra- spacing should this crop be grown. The tubers harvested from fertilized and adequately spaced Polynesian arrowroot is the same with those grown in the wild. Optimum yield of this crop can be reached if the farmers gained an understanding of what they can fertilize their lands with and the spacing required for its growth. The sun rays which help in photosynthesis falls on bare soils as a result of inadequate spacing. To arrive at optimum tuber yield at a specific environment, it would be necessary to make such recommendations based on information derived from field trials conducted in such areas. Research on Polynesian arrowroot was intended to primarily provide a basis for recommendations to farmers considering increase in population and the need to diversify. Polynesian arrowroot was cultivated during the 2011 and 2012 wet season in Garkawa, Plateau state of Nigeria only due to financial constraint. Garkawa is located at latitude 10 0 11’N and longitude 8 0 21’E, and falls in the Southern guinea savannah. It investigated the response of Polynesian arrowroot to spacing and fertilizer application during the period for optimum tuber yield. It does not cover the adequate time of planting. In view of the above, the present study was undertaken with the following objectives: 1. To investigate the response of Polynesian arrowroot to different intra-row spacing. ii. To investigate the type of fertilizer(s) to be applied during the period of growth. Materials and methods The experiment was conducted during the 2011 and 2012 wet seasons at the experimental farm of Plateau State College of Agriculture, Garkawa, Nigeria. Garkawa is approximately situated at latitude 10 0 11’ N and longitude