Early planting and supplemental irrigation on cassava growth and yield

Abstract

A field study was carried out in Paraipaba, Ceará, Brazil, with the objectives of studying the viability of increasing the length of the growing season of cassava in a single agriculture year, by using irrigation combined with early planting. The crop was grown in different cycles, as a result of the combination of four times of planting (December, January, February and March) with four times of harvesting (June, August, October and December). Cultivars Jaburu and EAB 652 showed significant increases in top and root yields when the planting was anticipated from February to December. When performed at the beginning of the growing cycle, the irrigation was more effective than when applied at the end, when the raining season had ceased. The water restriction that took place when rains ceased in the second half of the year appeared to be the main factor responsible for the decrease in the dry matter present in the leaves. The higher tuber yield observed in cv. Jaburu, was associated with its higher harvest index. Cassava yield appeared to be more related to the increase in the root diameter than to the root number or root length. The last two parameters were stabilized 90 days after planting. A direct relationship between cassava yield and the length of the planting growing cycle was found.