Performance of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Clones Across Locations

Abstract

The crop cassava belongs to the dicotyledonous family Euphorbiaceae and is mainly cultivated for its starchy roots. In the tropics, it is the most important food staple where it’s known for its source of energy and in the world, it’s ranked sixth most important source of calories in human diet. In Ethiopia, its produced for its starchy root and found to be very valuable crop especially in Southern region of the country. But its productivity is highly lower than most of cassava producing countries and even lower than the yield obtained in research centers. Thus This experiment was conducted to evaluate different cassava clones for their storage root performance and yield stability across locations. The experiment was conducted for two seasons (one cassava season constitutes 18 months from planting to maturity) at three locations, Amaro, Hawassa and Jima. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used for the study. Storage root yield and yield related data were collected and analyzed by using SAS and Genstat statistical software. The performance result indicated that the clone TMC 191/0427 (C1), MM96/930 (C3) and MM96/936 (C2) gave the highest storage root yield in their respective order with mean storage yield of 35.27, 30.38 and 28.36t/ha per a growing season . Besides higher storage root yield, TMC 191/0427 (C1) was the most stability clone across different locations and seasons. Hence, the clone was recommended for verification (18 months after planting). But the clones MM96/930 (C3), MM96/528 (C4), Naliende (C6) and MM96/936 (C2) were the best performer at Jima compared to other locations. Therefore, these genotypes might be recommended for adaptation to specifically to Jima and similar environments

Keywords: Cassava, Candidate, stability, Wider production