Performance of cassava cultivars in subtropical environment

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare variables of growth, development and yield components of roots and stems of five cassava cultivars in subtropical environment in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A field experiment was conducted in the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 growing seasons at Santa Maria, RS, with five cassava cultivars, Fepagro - RS 13, Fepagro - RS 13, Fepagro - RS 14, Estrangeira, Fécula Branca and Cascuda in a randomized block design with four replicates and a two factor scheme. Variables of growth and development such as leaf area, plant height and leaf number and yield components of roots and stems were collected. The cultivars Fepagro - RS 13 and Fepagro - RS 14 have the highest LAI, above-ground biomass and height compared to the cultivars Estrangeira, Fécula Branca and Cascuda, because the former have greater sympodial branching. Cultivars Fepagro – RS13 and Fepagro – RS 14 have high production of both above-ground and tuber roots whereas cultivars Estrangeira, Cascuda and Fécula Branca are adapted for tuber roots production in subtropical environment of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Manihot esculenta Crantz; development; tuber roots; stems; yield components