Abstract
This study was done to determine the effect of initial node strength on dry matter yield of cassava. Studies were conducted at the Waterloo Research Campus, University of Trinidad and Tobago using the sets of Mexican variety (Mx) at 6 months with 1 to 3 nodes, 4 to 9 cm, and dry matter of 6 to 15 g/set. The crop was established at 60 × 80 cm and treated with a compound NPK fertilizer. Growth analysis (functional approach) was carried from 20 to 340 Days after emergence (DAE), and the best fit polynomial regression applied. The results indicated that tuberization started after 120 DAE and tuber dry weight increased with increasing set size (YTDW = -1177 + 9.90D - 1.26-2 D2 + 37.7N2). The 3 node sets produced (P > 0.05) the highest tuber yield. The leaf area ratio (LAR) showed (P > 0.001) a quadratic response (Ylar = 12.8 - 1.94 H - 2.39 N + 0.08 H2 + 0.18 N*H), peaked at 2 g/cm2/day1, and declined at harvest. Both the net assimilation rate (NAR) and the relative growth rate (RGR) were not affected by the number of nodes, however, the NAR peaked 0.046 g/m2/day at 60 DAE. The initial strength of 3 nodes sets proved to be superior to the single node sets. Key words: Cassava, growth analysis, tuberization, nodes, sets.
Highlights
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) which is considered a traditional subsistence crop in the Caribbean and LatinAmerica has emerged as a global cash crop for food and fuel
The study set out to assess the effect of the initial stem nodal cutting on assimilates production and demand, and its subsequent effect on crop storage roots yield
The study demonstrated that the initial dry matter content of the nodes significantly influenced the growth and development of the crop through the production and subsequent partitioning of assimilates
Summary
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) which is considered a traditional subsistence crop in the Caribbean and LatinAmerica has emerged as a global cash crop for food and fuel. The crop can produce more edible energy per hectare per day than any other crop, and the capacity to generate high yields under conditions where other crops might fail (Sousa and Nassar, 2007). The crop is propagated by stem cuttings, drought tolerant, and establishes well on marginal soils with satisfactory yield. It has low exigency for sophisticated cultural requirements; potential pest and disease resistance, high root starch contents and good mechanization prospect (Cereda and Vilpoux, 2003).
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