Effects of different fertilisers and foliage harvest frequencies on foliage and tuber yield and chemical composition of foliage from two cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) varieties

Abstract

The effect of type of fertiliser and harvest frequency on foliage and tuber yield of cassava was studied in two experiments in Laos in 2003. In experiment 1 one local and one improved (KS50) cassava variety were tested with four different fertilisers, control (no fertiliser), inter-cropped legume, chicken manure and urea. The foliages were harvested three times during the experimental period. Dry matter (DM) yields were recorded and chemical composition of the foliage analysed. In experiment 2, the foliage and tuber yields of the same two cassava varieties were tested with three different times of foliage harvest during the experimental period. In experiment 1, fertilisers significantly influenced DM yield and crude protein (CP) content in foliages of both cassava varieties. Mean total DM foliage yields of the local variety were 2.6, 3.6, 4.1, and 3.8 tons ha-1 for the local variety and 2.3, 3.4, 3.7 and 3.7 tons ha-1 for the improved variety (KS50) for control, inter-cropped legume, chicken manure and urea fertiliser, respectively. CP content in the foliage was similar for the two varieties but significantly higher for the different fertilisers than for the control. The content of cyanide (HCN) and total tannins increased with all types of fertiliser application compared to the control treatment. In experiment 2, the fresh and DM tuber yield in the control treatment was 16.7 and 5.8 tons ha-1 and 24.5 and 8.4 tons ha-1 for the local and improved variety, respectively. There was significantly increasing DM yields of foliage up to 4.1 and 3.4 tons ha-1 for the local and improved variety, respectively, when the foliage was harvested 3 times during the growing period. While increased harvesting frequency increased the total foliage yield the effect on the tuber yields was negative. The tuber yield of the local variety was reduced by 11, 48 and 72% and the improved variety by 7, 47 and 71% at 1, 2 or 3 foliage harvests, respectively

Keywords

Cassava; variety; foliage yield; tuber yield; harvesting frequencies; fertilisers; chemical composition

Published in

Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems
2006, Volume: 6, number: 3, pages: 177-188

SLU Authors

• Ledin, Stig

  • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ledin, Inger

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/9765