Morphological characteristics and nutritional value of cassava under different planting spacing and fertilization

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different planting spaces and types of fertilization on morphological characteristics and nutritive value of wild cassava. We used a randomized block design with treatments arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial with five replicate, and treatments being the different planting space (1.5m x 1.5m and 2m x 2m) and fertilizer type(bovine manure, Goat manure and without fertilization). Evaluations were performed during two cuts made at 120 and 240 days after regrowth. For all variables, no significant interactions were found between planting spaces and fertilization types. There were no significant differences of the space on the variables number of leaves, number of forks and stem diameter in both cuts. For the variables production of natural and dry matter, there were no significant differences between the types of fertilizer, in both crops. Only variables for neutral detergent fiber and potassium showed significant differences among the planting spaces. The biomass production of wild cassava may be enhanced using denser planting and organic fertilizers regardless of source, without reducing its nutritive value.