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This study aimed at determining shoot and root characteristics of cassava as affected by root yield and the influence of soil moisture on vegetative growth and yield. Thirty cassava genotypes were evaluated for morphological and physiological characterization in three locations in Nigeria: Ibadan, Mokwa and Zaria. Randomized complete block design was used with four replicates. Studies on the pasting properties of the genotypes were also carried out. Data were collected on plant height, stem girth, stay-green ability, garri and fresh root weight. Genotypes differed significantly (P < 0.05) across and within locations for shoot and root characteristics. Across locations, genotype 011663 had the highest plant height (132.4 cm); 30572 had the largest stem girth (8.6 cm); and 010040 was the best stay-green (2.2). Genotype 011086 had the highest number of roots per plot (95.7), 950289 had the highest fresh root yield (24.3 t/ha), and 990554 had the highest percentage of dry matter (35.2). Trends in root yields across locations were Ibadan (28.9 t/ha), Mokwa (20.3 t/ha), and Zaria (8 t/ha). Five genotypes IITA-TMS-IBA950289, 010034, 990554, 011807, and 980581 had negligible interactions with the environment and so have broad adaptation and are considered stable; and two clones 011807 and 950166 were found to be the best for pasting properties. Breeding strategies that consider root size, total root number, harvest index, dry matter, with applications for household foods and industrial uses, will be an effective and efficient way to select genotypes for high yield.

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Contaminants in the environment occur naturally and/or through anthropogenic activities. These contaminants become a threat to all living organisms because of their increased in the environment and non-biodegradable nature. In order to protect the environment from these contamination, various techniques have been developed, and among them is phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is a technology that employed plant species for reclaiming contaminated soil, air, and water. This technology has been widely accepted in recent times, because of its low cost and environmentally friendly. In addition, augmentation of the contaminated soil, either chemo augmentation or bioaugmentation, have been used for the effective absorption of some of these contaminants. When the plants are grown in the contaminated sites, the contaminant in the soil maybe removed, immobilized, degraded or volatized. These phytoremediation technologies are: phytoextraction, phytovolatilization, rhizofiltration, phyto-stimulation, phyto-stabilization and phytodegradation. Based on the phytoremediation potentials of plants, pollutants are being removed from the environment thereby keeping the environment safe.