Cassava

Crop management

Planting pattern ….. The plant spacing.referring to planting density and spatial distribution.

Response significantly to plant density.

The crop is very flexible when come to spatial distribution of plant in the field.

Planting pattern

e.g. affects yield when plant density range from 5,000 to 15,000 per unit land area.

However, e.g. at 10,000 planting density spatial arrangement bet. 1 x 1, 2x 0.5, 2 x 1, 2x 2 m not affecting tuber yields.

Therefore, spatial arrangements is the most important criteria to satisfy specific prod. Sys.

Intercropping Cassava with other crops

Has been practiced for generations in some countries.

Small land area. To provide enough basic dietary elements;

carbohydrates and protein. Supplementary incomes.Increase yields.

Cassava-oil palm

Advantages of intercropping cassava with other crops

as a biological weed control Reduce soil erosion maximize use of growth resource

e.g. cassava-legumes are highly compatible

improve total crop productivity reduce disease severity.

Fertilizer requirement

• Cassava is always associated as crop of poor soil.

Poor soil without fertilizer 5-6 t/ha

Good soil, tuber yield can increase to 40-60 t/ha.

Fertilizer requirement …. cont

• Cassava req. high amt. of N and K. However, excessive N fertilization causes

excessive leaf formation, reduce harvest index (HI) Reduce starch tuber increase HCN content in tubers.

Fertilizer requirement …. cont

• N rate Depend on sole crop or mixed cropping

Sole crop: 50 kg N/haMixed cropping: 150 kg N/ha

Fertilizer requirement …. cont

• The higher the yield (tubers), the higher the K is extracted from the soil.

Modest amount of P is required for root growth

In Malaysia (Acidic soils):112 kg N/ha, 156 kg P2O5/ha and 187 kg K2O/ha

Common pests and diseases

Pests i. Green mites, Tetranychus urticae

Control: plant resistant

ii. Whitefly, Aleurodicus sp. and Bemisia sp. transmit mosaic

virus

Common pests and diseases

Diseases Root rot, Phytophthora spp. , Sclerotium

spp, Fusarium spp., Pythium spp

Control: resistant variety

Harvest

Commonly harvested 18 mo after planting

Any questions

Thank you