Effect of fertilizer, planting density and variety on growth and yield of stem cuttings of cassava

Abstract

The shortage of cassava stem cuttings presents a significant constraint to cassava production in Kilosa district, Tanzania. To address this issue, a field experiment was conducted within the research plots of TARI Ilonga, Kilosa, to evaluate the impact of fertilizer application, planting density, and variety on cassava stem cutting yield. Employing a split-split plot design in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), the experiment featured variety, planting density, and rates of fertilizer combinations as main, sub, and sub-sub factors, respectively. The study focused on three improved varieties of cassava (Kiroba, Chereko, and Mkuranga 1), with planting densities of 10,000, 13,000, and 20,000 plants per hectare, and ten fertilizer treatment rates. Data collected encompassed soil physico-chemical characteristics of the site, total plant height, stem height, stem diameter, number of stem cuttings, and nodes per stem cutting. Analysis of the plant data involved variance analysis, with significant treatments distinguished using Tukey’s honesty significance test (p<0.05). Notably, the application of 150 kg N ha^-1 resulted in statistically higher total plant height and stem height, while a planting density of 20,000 plants ha^-1 combined with the Kiroba variety exhibited statistically higher numbers of stem cuttings ha^-1. The study concludes that for effective stem multiplication, a planting density of 20,000 plants ha^-1 and the application of N fertilizers at a rate of 150 kg N ha^-1 are recommended.