Abstract
Since there is a variety of performance in cassava varieties for different agroecologies and there was no cassava production before in Ethiopian Somali regional state, Fafen district in particular. Investigation of the performance of higher tuber yielded cassava variety is the main concern for this study. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate tuber yield performance of cassava varieties. To do so, four varieties (kello, Qulle, Hawassa-4, and Chichu) were collected from Hawassa Agricultural Research Center and planted in Fafen district where there is arid climatic condition. Thirty-centimeter-long stakes were planted with 1 m × 1 m intra- and inter-row spacing with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). There were four rows, five plants per row and twenty plants per plot. Phenological, growth, and agronomic parameters were analyzed using SAS software; mean differences were compared using LSD at p≤0.05. The result revealed that days to 50% establishment of the stem cuttings of variety “Qulle” were performed within 15.6 days. Among all varieties, Chichu and Hawassa-4 had the highest number of plant stand count, 88.3 and 86.7%, respectively. The highest number of mean multiplication ratio, secondary branches per plant, and mean plant height were obtained with variety “Qulle.” With regards to tuber yield and its components, there was significant difference among understudied cassava varieties. The highest tuber yield (23.93 t/ha) was registered in variety “Hawassa-4” followed by Kello (19.90 t/ha) and Qulle (18.73 t/ha). It implies that variety “Hawassa-4” performed best in the test area and hence recommended in test area.
Highlights
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a shrub species which belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family that grows continuously, with alternating plant growth periods and carbohydrate storage in its tuberous roots followed by periods of dormancy [1]. It is very important for the agroeconomy of several tropical countries because of its broad adaptation to a variety of soil, climate, drought tolerance, and ability to grow on marginal soil [2]
The production of the crop in such areas is the best alternative to overcome food scarcity when other crops are predisposed for drought. us, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of cassava varieties for tuber yield in Fafen district, Ethiopian Somali Regional State
Mature and health stem cuttings were obtained from Hawassa Agricultural Research Center, center of excellence in cassava production in the country, Ethiopia. e stem cuttings of each cassava variety were collected from the middle stems of the respective seven-month-old mother plant
Summary
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a shrub species which belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family that grows continuously, with alternating plant growth periods and carbohydrate storage in its tuberous roots followed by periods of dormancy [1]. It is very important for the agroeconomy of several tropical countries because of its broad adaptation to a variety of soil, climate, drought tolerance, and ability to grow on marginal soil [2]. In Ethiopia, cassava, locally known as Mita Boye, Yenchet Boye Furno tree, and Mogo, has been used in cultivation, in the south, south west, and western parts since its introduction in the 19th century [7]
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