Effects of length in stem cutting and its planting position on cassava yield

Abstract

Stem cuttings selected from mature portions of parent plants are used for cassava reproduction. Cuttings may be of different lengths and may be planted horizontally, vertically or in an inclined position. Conducted at the State University of Southwestern Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA Brazil, the experiment evaluated the effects of cutting length and planting position on cassava. Ten treatments combining five planting positions (horizontal, inclined, upside-down inclined, vertical, and upside-down vertical) and two cutting lengths (20 and 30 cm) were tested. The best treatments for tuberous root yield were 20-cm cuttings planted horizontally (21.292 kg.ha^-1) and 30-cm cuttings planted in the inclined position (20.236 kg.ha^-1). Cassava cuttings planted in vertical or inclined position sprouted faster, while those planted in the horizontally gave rise to plants with heavier aerial part. Treatments with higher root yield produced higher starch and dry matter content in the roots, higher starch yield per hectare, and higher root weight per plant. Plants with heavier aerial part had lower harvest index and lower dry matter and starch content in the tuberous roots