Productive potential of cassava plants (Manihot esculenta Crantz) propagated by leaf buds

Abstract

New techniques of rapid multiplication of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) have been developed, requiring technical support for large-scale use. This work main to evaluate the agronomic performance of plantlets obtained by leaf buds technique against stem cuttings in the field conditions. The work was conducted using the randomized block design in a factorial scheme with 3 varieties (BRS Kiriris, 98150-06, 9624-09) × 4 origins of the plantlets (conventional - stem cuttings of 20 cm length, leaf buds of the upper, middle and inferior stem part) × 2 agrochemicals (control and treated). There was a remarkable decrease in some agronomic traits that ranged from 23% (number of branches) to 62% (shoot weight) when using leaf buds plantlets. The treatment of plantlets with agrochemicals promoted significant increases in all traits, ranging from 26% (number of roots per plant) to 46% (shoot weight). The plantlets originating from leaf buds of the upper and middle parts were able to generate stem-like plants similar to stem-derived ones. Despite its lower agronomic performance under field conditions, multiplication by leaf buds may generate five times the number of propagules in comparison with the conventional multiplication, and therefore it could be a viable alternative for rapid cassava multiplication.

Adaptation of the rapid multiplication method: selecting stem cuttings based on their number of leaves for cassava seedling production

“…Stem cuttings smaller than 20 mm in diameter planted in October that generated the cuttings planted on November 25 had a lower stem cutting weight and, consequently, a lower carbohydrate contribution. This negatively influenced the rooting capacity of seedlings during this season since, during the rooting period, there is a great nutritional demand in order to maintain the physiological growth and development processes (Neves, Diniz, & Oliveira, 2018). Carbohydrate and auxin synthesis occurs in leaves, and their presence in plant cuttings favours survival and rooting (Pacheco & Franco, 2008).…”

“…The high seedling survival during the September 22 and October 7 growing seasons may be related to the higher nutritional reserves of stem cuttings planted in July and August. Neves et al (2018) obtained cassava seedlings through an in vitro micropropagation technique with leaf buds and obtained an increase of five times in the multiplication rate when compared to that under the traditional method. However, the micropropagation technique has limitations, such as the need for skilled labour, laboratory facilities, and higher financial expenditures for seedling production (Ogero, Gitonga, Ombori, & Ngugi, 2010).…”

Growth Response of Local Cassava to Cutting Models and the Number of Buds

“…Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a potential source of local food that is widely distributed (Adiele et al, 2020). Its wide agroecological adaptability makes cassava the third most important source of energy  Received for publication December 8, 2019 Accepted after corrections June 10, 2021 in the tropics (Hasibuan and Nazir, 2017;Neves et al, 2018). This plant has a great potential for development, providing an important source of calories and options for food security for the growing population (De Souza et al, 2017) based on local wisdom (Sulistiono et al, 2020).…”

“…The use of improved varieties in field trials in Nigeria yielded a fresh tuber weight of 40 ton ha -1 (Eke-Okoro and Njoku, 2012). Naturally, varieties of cassava have different characteristics depending on their genetic background, which can produce different responses to external factors (Neves et al, 2018).…”

Efficacy of shoot production of cassava using the multiple shoot removal technique for rapid propagation

“…Consequently, planting material is often limited and restricts the area or time of cultivation, especially of newly introduced varieties. In response to these limitations, methods for rapid propagation of cassava have been developed, such as use of short stakes with few nodes (Otoo, 1994; Bridgemohan and Bridgemohan, 2014), micropropagation by tissue culture or leaf-buds (Neves et al ., 2018) and the multiple shoot removal technique (MSRT). The main purpose of producing planting material by rapid propagation is to establish nurseries to supply stakes (planting material) to farmers for conventional planting (López, 2012; Shiji et al ., 2014).…”