CASSAVA CULTIVARS GROWTH, PHENOLOGY AND YIELD

Abstract

Cassava is cultivated in all Brazilian States, what demands specific information about the most used cultivars. In this study, nine cassava cultivars for industry (IAC 12, IAC 13, IAC 14, IAC 15, Roxinha, Fibra, Fécula Branca, Branca de Santa Catarina, and Espeto) were evaluated, concerning growth and phenological attributes, as well as roots yield. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replications. IAC 14 was the highest cultivar, while IAC 15, Fécula Branca, and Espeto were the smallest ones. Fécula Branca and Espeto presented just one stem per plant. Branching was present in all cultivars, except for Fibra, and at different times. Branca de Santa Catarina was the first one to bloom. IAC 14 showed higher roots yield than Branca de Santa Catarina, IAC 12, Fécula Branca, Espeto, IAC 13, and IAC 15. Roots dry matter for IAC 12 was higher than for Roxinha and Branca de Santa Catarina. The aerial part features differed among cultivars, while root number, individual mass, length, and diameter did not differ. Results showed that those cultivars presented different growth and phenological features, as well as different root yields.