Effect of Spacing and Pruning Methods on Root Yield and Yield Parameters of Cassava (Mahinot esculenta Crantz) in Fedis District, East Harerghe Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Due to the long duration of cassava roots maturity, drought and disease problems, intercropping grain and legumes in cassava should be developed. To intercrop component crops, it is important to reduce cassavas’ canopy through the evaluation of the pruning effect on root yields. The study was aimed to determine the effects of different plant spacing and pruning methods on root yield and root yield parameters of cassava grown in Eastern part of Ethiopia. Cassava variety ‘Kello’ was used for the experiment as a test crop. Five cassava plant intra-row spacing (0.60, 0.80, 1.00, 1.20 and 1.40 m) were assigned to main plots while pruning methods (cutback, debranching and no pruning) were assigned to sub plots. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement with three replications. The result revealed that there were highly significant differences for number of roots per plant, root length, average root weight and unmarketable due to the effect of pruning, while significant differences was observed for total root yields due to intra-row spacing. There were also highly significant interaction effects for marketable and total root yields due to the effects of intra-row spacing and pruning. Cassava with no pruning recorded about, 21.9 and 25.7%, 10 and 26.4%, 17.2 and 19.9%, 43.5 and 58.7% over cassava with debranching and cutback for number of roots per plant, root diameter, root length and root weights, respectively. Cassava pruning and intra-row spacing also interacted and the highest root yield was recorded at 80 cm with cassava no pruning. Averagely, cassava with no pruning provided the highest marketable and total root yield by about 39.3 and 44.7%, 35.8 and 41.6% over cassava with debranching and cutback, respectively. Therefore, considering the land scarcity of the area intra-row plant spacing of 80 cm and cassava with no pruning was recommended for the study area and similar agro-ecology for land economy in eastern Harerghe zone.