Evaluation of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta crantz) Genotype for Yield and Yield Component, Tuber Bulking, Early Maturity in Cross River Basin Flood Plains, Itu, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Field experiments was conducted in 2013 and 2014 at Cross River flood plains , Itu, Akwa Ibom State to assess the yield, yield components, early tuber bulking and maturity among cassava genotype and identify superior ones for the environment. Experiment was conducted at Itu Irrigation Erosion and Flood Control project farm of the Cross River Basin Development Authority Oku Iboku. A land area of 416m² was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Five cassava genotypes: NR 8082, TMS 01/1168, TMS 01/1412, TME 419 and a local cultivar (obubit okpo) constituted the treatments. Growth parameters studied were: plant height (cm), Number of branches, leaf area (cm), Number of leaf lobes, stem girth (cm) and length of petiole (cm). Also, Number, length (cm), and circumference of tubers and tuber yield per hectare (t/ha) were studied at 4,6,8,10 and 12 months after planting (MAP). Analysis of variance was conducted on all the characters and significant means separated with least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. Plant height (cm), number of branches and leaf area (cm²) at harvest showed significant differences (p<0.05%) among cassava genotypes .Yield parameters also differed significantly (p<0.05) at 4,6,8 and 10 MAP for circumference of tubers, number of tubers and tuber yield per hectare (t/ha). TMS 01/1412 produced largest cassava tubers (40.10 cm and 39.40 cm) at 8 MAP in both cropping seasons, highest number of tubers at 6 MAP (13.20 and 11.80), 8 MAP (13.60 and 11.80), 10 MAP (1 3.80 and 11.80) and 12 MAP (13.80 and 11.80) and highest tuber yield per hectare at 8 and 10 MAP (42.60t, 46.30t and 46.30t, 46.00t), respectively. Therefore TMS 01/1412 with early rooting, rapid tuber bulking potential, early maturity and highest tuber yield (t/ha) at 8 MAP would best fit into the farming systems of Cross River flood plains, since it will mature before the peak of flood water.