Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Debranching Effect on Growth and Yield in Cassava

M.S.A. Fakir
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M.H.R. Talukder
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M.G. Mostafa
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M.S. Rahman
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Effect of branch pruning on morphological characters and fresh root (tuber) yield in Cassava (Manihot esculenta) was investigated at Mymensingh (24°75'N, 90°50'E) between February and October, 2009. Two factors (shoot number and branch clipping) experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design. The effect of shoot number (one or two shoots per plant) and debranching (control, 1-branch, 2-branches, 3-branches removal) on canopy characters and tuber yield was investigated. Generally, shoot number significantly influenced stem and leaf growth with little effect on tuber yield. Morphological characters leaf and stem growth, and tuber yield decreased with increasing debranching. Maximum tuber yield was observed in control plant (average of 3.74 kg per plant), both in one and two shooted plants. Increased tuber number with wider tuber size appeared to be the index of higher yield. It may be concluded that yield and yield components of Cassava decreased in debranched plants.

Keywords: Manihot esculenta, Debranch, Laterals branch, Reproductive branch, Canopy, Tuber

Location: Field Laboratory, Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-02-2009

End Date: 00-10-2009

Program Area: Variety and Species

Commodity: Cassava

Objectives:

1. To investigate the effect of branch pruning on morphological characters and fresh root (tuber) yield in Cassava (Manihot esculenta).

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the Field Laboratory, Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh (24°75'N, 90°50'E) during the period from February, 2009 to October, 2009. As planting material, stalks (stems) were collected from tribal farmers of Modhupur tribal region. The experimental field was first opened on February 5, 2009 with a power tiller. The land was ploughed and cross-ploughed three times followed by laddering to obtain the desirable tilth. All the stubbles and uprooted weeds were removed to make the land ready for sowing. The whole land was divided into plots maintaining the desired spacing. The size of each unit plot was 3.6 m x 3.6 m and the plots were spaded one day before planting and the basal dose of fertilizers was incorporated thoroughly before planting. The entire amount of urea, triple super phosphate and muriate of potash at the rate of 83, 62 and 62 kg/ha, respectively, was applied at the time of final land preparation. Well-decomposed cowdung was also applied (1656 kg/ha) during initial land preparation. Experimental design and layout: The Cassava accession CK A2 was considered. Two factor (shoot number and de-branching) experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Either one (1-shooted plant, S₁) or two (2-shooted plant, S₂) shoots were allowed from each stem cutting. At 125 days after planting, primary branches were clipped off: control (no debranching, D₀), 1-branch (D₁), 2-branches (D₂) and 3-branches (D₃) were removed. The eight treatments (S₁D₀, S₁D₁, S₁D₂, S₁D₃, S₂D₀, S₂D₁, S₂D₂, and S₂D₃) were randomly allotted following RCBD design. The distance between blocks and plots was 0.9 m and 0.6 m, respectively. The plots were raised up to 15 cm from the soil surface. Healthy and uniform sized (about 18-20 cm with 8-10 nodes) cutting stalks (stems) of 12 months old plants were planted in the experimental plots by making hole for each stalk on 26 February, 2009. The two stalks were planted at each hole horizontally 2.5 cm below the soil. There were 16 plants/plot(12.96 m²). The cuttings were watered after planting and continued for several days until their establishment. The dead cutting stalks were replaced with new stalks. The gaps were filled up within four weeks after sprouting of stalks. The soil had adequate moisture so irrigation was not required but weeding was done as when required. Crop sampling and data collection: The destructive harvest was made between 1 and 3 October 2009. It was done 245 days after planting (DAP). At the time harvesting, four plants were selected randomly from each plot in a replication and data on morphological characters of canopy characters, fibrous and storage roots were recorded. Leaf area index (LAI) was estimated by Canopy Analyser (Model no. LI-3000, USA) and chlorophyll content was measured by Spadometar (Model-667, USA).The collected data were analyzed and mean differences were evaluated by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DMRT). A correlation study between storage root yield and other important yield parameters was also carried out.

Source of Information: J. Agrofor. Environ. 5 (1): 1-5, 2011; ISSN 1995-6983

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It may be concluded that debranching decreased root yield with the highest tuber yield was observed in control plants (average of 3.74 kg per plant). Further, increased number of storage roots per plant with wider root appeared to be responsible for good storage root yield per plant in Cassava.

Knowledge Management: Journal