Cassava roots yield and soil chemical and physical properties according to chicken manure fertilization

Abstract

The cassava crop extracts large amounts of nutrients from the soil and, as a result, nutrients in adequate amounts in the soil favor its yield. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the influence of laying chicken manure on cassava roots yield and morphological characteristics, as well as on soil chemical and physical properties. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with six replications, and treatments consisted of laying chicken manure doses (0 t ha^-1, 6 t ha^-1, 12 t ha^-1 and 18 t ha^-1) incorporated into the soil. It was observed that the crop reacted to the soil fertilization by increasing its yield per area and plant unit. Roots individual fresh matter, diameter and length remained constant with treatments. The soil pH and organic matter were raised with the addition of manure. Concerning soil nutrients, there was an increase in the P, Ca and Mg contents. The soil bulk density decreased, while the total soil porosity increased proportionally to the addition of manure. The addition of chicken manure up to 18 t ha^-1 provided a higher cassava yield, due to an increase in the number of roots per plant and improvements in the soil chemical and physical properties.