Adaptation and evaluation of Improved Cassava (Manihot Esculentacrantz) Varieties In Southwest Ethiopia

Fikadu Ejigu; Andualem Gadisa; Wondimu Yonas Dafa

Abstract

Cassava, scientifically known as Manihot esculenta Crantz, plays a crucial role as a primary food source for over 800 million individuals in numerous tropical countries. It serves as a vital dietary staple crop in these regions.. Nutritionally, cassava has a great potential to provide economical sources of dietary energy in the form of carbohydrates and cassava has huge a potential crop to address general food insecurity due to recurring droughts and erratic rainfall in the country. Even though its various importance, improved cassava variety has not been introduced to the southwestern parts of Ethiopia. Hence, this research project was motivated to evaluate the adaptability and performance of improved cassava varieties on yield and other economical traits in southwestern Ethiopia. Four improved Cassava (Manihot esculentaCrantz) varieties obtained from Hawassa Agricultural Research Center and with one local variety were evaluated at field conditions in Yeki and Menit Goldeya districts in the 2018-2020 cropping seasons. The study employed a randomized complete block design with four replications to conduct the experiment. The collected data on yield and factors influencing yield were analyzed utilizing the R computer software. Combined analysis of variance showed that Variety had a significantly affected on plant height, number of tuberous roots per plant, tuberous root length, tuberous root diameter, marketable and unmarketable tuberous root yield, and total tuberous root yield. Significantly the highest number of tuberous roots (15.2). and (13.8), length of tuberous root (35cm) and (34.5cm), tuberous root diameter (8.3cm) and (8cm), marketable tuberous root yield (41.99 t ha-1) and (38.46 t ha-1) and total tuberous root yield (44.2 t ha-1and (40.92 ha-1) were obtained from variety Chichu and Qulle respectively. As a result, the cassava varieties Chichu and Qulle were determined to be the most productive and well-suited for rain-fed conditions in the agroecology of Southwestern Ethiopia, specifically in the Yeki and Menit Goldeya districts

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