STUDIES ON MATTER PRODUCTION OF EDIBLE CANNA (CANNA-EDULIS KER) .2. CHANGES OF DRY-MATTER PRODUCTION WITH GROWTH

Edible canna was grown for three successive seasons from late April to early to mid-November under field conditions to clarify the basis of its productivity in the temperate climate of Japan. The growth of the aerial part of the plant was substantially accelerated by the hot weather from mid-July to late August, and the plant grew up to 2.7 similar to 2.8 m in height. It grew 20 similar to 22 leaves on its main stem, and 9 similar to 19 shoots with 29 similar to 35 newly formed rhizomes. Edible canna maintained a high leaf area index (LAI, ca. >9) for about 2 months from lace August to early November with a maximum of 11.5 similar to 12.7. Accumulation of dry matter to newly formed rhizomes began in mid-august and continued until the final harvest in November, when frost damage occurred. The final dry weight of the whole plant was 2578 similar to 3968 gm(-2) and that of rhizome was 954 similar to 1644 gm(-2) so that the harvest index range was as low as 0.37 similar to 0.43. The mean crop growth rate (CGR) was 12.7 similar to 19.3 gm(-2) d(-1) and interestingly, the maximum CGR (35.3 similar to 43.6 gm(-2) d(-2)) occurred from mid-September to early October in 2 of the 3 years. A tall stand of edible canna population has a high potential productivity based on its high LA1 during the latter half of ontogenesis.