Abstract

Thirty-eight high and low cyanide cassava genotypes were evaluated for growth and yield. The experiment was fitted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant difference (P<0.05) in growth and yield parameters, indicating strong genetic variations among the genotypes. Significant (P<0.05) highest average storage root weight of 1.5 and 1.8 kg were obtained from TMS 94/0035 (high cyanide cassava genotype) and TMS 98/0505 (low cyanide cassava genotype), respectively. Correlation analyses indicated significant (P<0.05) and positive associations between number of storage roots per plant, average storage root weight and root yield in the two types of cassava genotypes tested, indicating that the parameters are good indices that can be improved upon during breeding and selection to enhance root yield. Four high cyanide cassava genotypes (TMS 99/2123, TMS 96/1642, TMS 98/0068 and TMS 94/3200ï´¿ were outstanding in fresh root yield performance. To improve fresh root yield in cassava, the inter-relationships among the various agronomic character of the cassava genotypes demands appropriate attention. The study gives more information on the improvement of fresh storage root yield of cassava.

Key words: High cyanide cassava genotypes, low cyanide cassava genotypes, correlations, growth, yield.