Research strategy

Study 2

Using corms harvested from the first study a second study was then to be undertaken under laboratory conditions to compare storage qualities for the three landraces under different temperature regimes (12⁰C in a cold room or ambient temperature in a store room) and alternative methods of packaging (polyethylene bag, box or mesh bag). Samples of corms would be selected from those grown in Study 1 with each level of fertiliser to see whether organic fertiliser influenced storage quality under the different temperatures and packaging methods.

Study 3

Finally, a third study would be needed to see how well first generation corms perform in terms of shoot emergence and subsequent plant development: plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of suckers and overall above ground biomass. Again corms would be selected from each landrace x fertiliser level combination in Study 1.