Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field

Abstract

Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta </i>crantz) plays a crucial role in global food security, serving as a staple crop for nearly one billion people worldwide. Despite its importance, cassava production remains suboptimal, largely due to inefficient use of stem cuttings by farmers. Producing seedlings through mini-cuttings offers a promising method to optimize stem utilization and accelerate cassava multiplication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of substrate and fertilization on cassava seedlings production from mini-set cuttings taken from various parts of the stem, and to assess their performance in the field. A factorial experiment was conducted using three stem parts (upper, middle, and lower) from three cassava genotypes (LMR, I010040-27, and 8034). These were combined with three substrate types (soil/sawdust, soil/sawdust/poultry manure, and soil/sawdust/NPK) in a completely randomized block design with three replications to produce seedlings in propagators. Subsequently, the field performance of the seedlings from each stem part was monitored. Results revealed that all stem sections across the genotypes were capable of regenerating seedlings in the tested substrates. The most effective substrate for rapid and vigorous seedling regeneration was a mix of soil, sawdust, and poultry manure, especially when using cuttings from the middle stem section. Cuttings from the upper stem section produced the lowest seedling regeneration rates across all genotypes. In field conditions, plants derived from the middle stem cuttings of the I010040-27 variety produced the highest number of tubers and the longest tuber lengths per plant compared to other genotypes. These findings are highly valuable for promoting the adoption of mini-cuttings as efficient planting material, thereby contributing to optimized and intensified cassava production.