Growth, Development and Yield of Cassava Progeny as Affected by Nutrient Status of Mother Plant 1

Cassava is a very important staple crop in Ghana, contributing significantly to the country's Agricultural GDP. Majority of farmers in eight out of the ten regions in Ghana cultivate the crop due to its ability to grow on marginal lands. The crop has until recently seen little improvement in their husbandry practices. Cassava yields on farmers’ fields are low (8-10 t/ha) with potential yields of 30 to 40 t/ha. A major factor contributing to this low yield is the low soil fertility and the poor quality of the planting material.

Berchie, J. N.; Agyemang, K.; Tetteh, E. N.; Gaizie, I.; Amponsah, S. K.; Oteng-Darko, P.; Acheampong, L. D.; Osei-Bonsu, I.; Apraku, M.; Fordjour, J. K.

2018

English

Cassava is a very important staple crop in Ghana, contributing significantly to the country's Agricultural GDP. Majority of farmers in eight out of the ten regions in Ghana cultivate the crop due to its ability to grow on marginal lands. The crop has until recently seen little improvement in their husbandry practices. Cassava yields on farmers’ fields are low (8-10 t/ha) with potential yields of 30 to 40 t/ha. A major factor contributing to this low yield is the low soil fertility and the poor quality of the planting material. The study investigated the effect of fertilizer application of the mother plant on the growth, development and yield of progenies from these plants. Cassava genotype Dabo was sown in June 2013, at 1 m x I m at CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kwadaso, Kumasi, Ghana. There were four fertilizer treatments: NPK 30:30:45, 60:30:45, 45:30:45, and Control. The experiment was arranged in a randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. NPK was applied at one month after planting and Muriate of potash three months after planting. The mother plant was harvested in June, 2014. Cassava yields for all the fertilizer treated plots were significantly higher than the control plot (12.1 t/ha) with yield difference ranging between 68% (20.3 t/ha) and 278 % (33.7 t/ha) in the first year. Cuttings from the mother plants were planted with no fertilizer application in July, 2014. Progeny from the treatment that gave the highest yield in Year 1 (45-30-45, N:P:K) gave the greatest yield (24.0 t/ha) relative to the control (10.3 t/ha) in year two, (233%) higher. Commercial cassava planting material producers should boost the quality of the cassava planting material through fertilizing the mother plant. Farmers can also fertilize a small portion of their cassava farm and use cuttings from the fertilized plot as planting material.