The yield potential of cassava under optimum conditions is about 90 tons of fresh roots per hectare, equivalent to 30 tons of cassava dry matter per hectare. More than half (61%) of cassava production occurs in sub-Saharan Africa; however, cassava yield in tropical countries is still far below its production potential.
● Stems
● Fertilizers
The major pests and diseases of cassava are:
1. Thrips and Mites: Can be controlled using a recommended miticide and Insect Growth Regulators. These pests are prevalent during dry periods and decreases as rainfall increases.
2. African cassava mosaic virus: The African cassava mosaic virus causes the leaves of the cassava plant to wither. When such withering occurs, it limits the growth of the root. The best control measure is to plant resistant varieties.
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3. Cassava mealybug: This causes a reduction in inter-node length of cassava stem. This pest can cause up to 80% crop loss, which is extremely detrimental to the production of subsistence farmers.
4. Insects: Some insects affect the plant directly. For instance, locusts feed on cassava leaves. Ants and termites eat up cassava stems as soon as they are planted, or later in the season; therefore destroying whole plants.
Others affect the plant indirectly by transferring virus into the plant. Use recommended insecticides and Insect Growth Regulators to control insects.
Cassava has a relatively long growth cycle compared to other important crops. It takes an average of 10-12 months — sometimes up to 24 months — for farmers to harvest the roots; maize, rice, and potato’s growth cycles span less than a third of that.
Cassava likes light, sandy loam soils with medium soil fertility and with good drainage. Saline, strongly alkaline and stony soils, and soils with stagnant water are unsuitable for the cultivation of cassava. Stony soils inhibit the formation of the root tuber. Where soil fertility is concerned, cassava is easily satisfied. Even on very poor and acidic soils which are totally unsuitable for the cultivation of other plants, the cassava will still provide a relatively good crop. For this reason, the cassava is frequently grown on edge locations which can otherwise not be used arably. The low demands of the cassava mean mat it is often the last member in crop rotation.
Source of vitamins and minerals: Cassava roots are an excellent source of minerals and vitamins such as manganese, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and Iron. These vitamins and minerals are important for the healthy development of the body.
Rich in fibres and dietary fibre: If you want to prevent constipation, eat more cassava. The fibres and dietary fibres in cassava help to free up the bowels and prevent constipation.
Provides energy: We eat food to have the energy to do work. Eating cassava which is high in carbohydrate content can provide a lot of energy to the body.
Helps to achieve weight loss: Eating cassava can fill your stomach very easily. As a result, it is a helpful diet in weight management programs.
Prevents cancer: Eating cassava regularly prevents one from various types of cancer.
Enhances digestion: The presence of high fibre and dietary fibre in cassava enhances a good digestive system.
There are three methods of planting cassava
● Horizontal method of planting cassava
● Vertical method of planting cassava
● The inclined method of planting cassava
● Horizontal planting
Plant cuttings are buried 5 – 10 cm below the soil surface in dry climates and when mechanical planting is used.Cuttings planted horizontally produce multiple stems and more tuberous roots but they are relatively smaller in size.However, in loamy and rich soils the multiple stems and roots are at an advantage resulting in high yields.
● Vertical planting
Many people use this method during rainy days so that cuttings will not rot if the soil is constantly wet. In contrast, under low rainfall conditions, vertical planting may result in dehydration of the cuttings.
● Inclined planting
Cuttings are inclined at 45o in semi-rainy areas, leaving 2-3 nodes above ground level. The inclination of the stem and roots provide leverage which makes harvesting easier than in the other orientations.
● Cassava requires approximately 3 months of weed-free condition for optimum yield.
● Use a contact and/or pre-emergent herbicide to control weeds for the first three months of growth.
● Apply post-emergence herbicides as soon as weeds begin to emerge after the pre-emergence herbicide treatment.
● Weed with hoes or adapted cutlasses 3 or more times depending on the type of weed.
● On a large scale, use tractor-operated weeders.
The kinds and quantities of fertilizers required by a cassava crop depend on the nature of the soil. You may not need to fertilize the farmland immediately after clearing vegetation. A fertilizer that is rich in potassium salt, favours the formation of starch in cassava. Nitrogen and phosphorus, on the other hand, are essential for growth.
Apply the first dose of NPK fertilizer, in the ratio as determined by the soil test, 4-8 weeks after planting. Place fertilizers 15cm to 45cm from the base of the stem in drill holes – 10cm to 15cm deep.Placement of fertilizers in drill holes reduces fertilizer loss through runoff water.
A second dose of Fertilization of plants 16 weeks after planting significantly increases the yield of roots and enhances tuber bulking. For effective absorption of fertilizer nutrients into the soil, do not apply fertilizer when the soil is dry.
How long it takes for cassava to reach maturity differs from one variety to another. Cassava becomes mature for harvesting 8 – 18 months after planting. However, the exact time for harvesting cassava depends on other factors such as the environment and the agricultural practices adopted.
1. https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/cassava-manioc/infos
2. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.699655/full
3. http://www.nzdl.org/
4. https://agro4africa.com/cassava-farming-process/
5. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/more-cassava-less-time
6. https://agric4profits.com/how-to-control-cassava-diseases-and-pests/