Evaluation of three achira cultivars (Canna edulis Ker) with short vegetative period and high starch production, for marginal coffee areas in the Department of Huila Evaluación de tres cultivares de achira (Canna edulis Ker) con periodo vegetativo corto y alta producción de almidón, para las zonas marginales de café en el Departamento del Huila

Abstract

      The research was carried out in the municipality of Rivera, department of Huila, an area with potential for the production of achira, however, the varieties with the best performance for the production of starch in lowland areas are unknown. The objective of the work was to evaluate the behavior of three achira cultivars considered to be of high production for the area, a randomized complete block design was carried out with three treatments and three repetitions, the treatments were: T1 purple achira from the municipality of San Agustín, T2 white achira from the municipality of La Cruz (Nariño) and T3 achira native from the municipality of Altamira. Nine 10 m2 plots were used, the production attributes were evaluated at nine months. In general, starch production was low and ranged between 620 Kg/ha and 1800 Kg/ha, the cultivar with the best performance was the purple variety with a yield of 1800 Kg/ha of starch, which was considered as an alternative for small producers located in the study area.