Growth and Yield Performance of Selected Varieties of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta) Grown at Varying Spacing Under Rain Fed Condition in Bali, Taraba State-Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64137/31079377/IJMSD-V1I2P104Keywords:
Variety, Cassava, Spacing, Tuber, StemAbstract
With the current trend of escalation in the price of foodstuffs in Nigeria, it becomes pertinent for researchers in food production to embark on research to come out with cheaper alternatives that will ensure a sustainable food supply to the growing populace. Cassava is identified as one of the staple foods consumed in the Sub-Saharan tropics. This experiment is carried out in the Teaching and Research Farm of the School of Agricultural Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Bali, to determine the Growth and Yield Performance of selected varieties of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Grown at Varying Spacing (1 m x 0.9 m, I m x 0.7 m and 1 m x 0.5 m) in the Bali area. A Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) is adopted and replicated three times. A zig-zag sampling method with 25% representative samples is used for data collection. Parameters assessed include Plant height at 3, 6 and 9 Months After Planting (MAP); stem girth, number of tubers per plant, thickness of the tuber and tuber weight at harvest. Data collected are subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with the help of the SPSS statistical package. Means are separated using Tukey Honestly Significant Difference (HSD). The results show significant differences among the improved cassava varieties as well as between the varieties and the local cultivar. A significant interaction is also observed between the two factors at p = 0.05.
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