The effect of planting dates on three cassava diseases in Cameroon

Abstract

Abstract In an investigation into the response of cassava yield to different planting dates, two local cultivars (red‐ and white‐skinned) were planted on eight dates from March to October, corresponding to the wet period of the zone, from 1984 to 1986. Fresh storage root yields were evaluated 12 months after planting with the incidence and severity of the main diseases. The fresh storage root yield 12 months after planting increased from March to August plantings and began to decrease from September in both cultivars. The white‐skinned cultivar was superior to the red‐skinned with a mean yield difference of 5–0 t/ha and mean storage root number of 9.5 per 10 m2. Fresh storage root yield of both cultivars followed the same rainfall pattern but the reverse was recorded in relation to sunshine hours. Early planting produces greater marketable yields. Cassava mosaic, bacterial blight and leaf spot diseases decreased from the early to the late plantings in both cultivars. Cassava can give profitable yields if ...