IMPROVED AGRONOMIC PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE HIGH YIELD OF CASSAVA IN NIGERIA
- 1. IMPROVED AGRONOMIC PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE HIGH YIELD OF CASSAVA IN NIGERIA National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike (NRCRI). www.nrcri.gov.ng Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, PIND www/pindfoundation.org SPO RCTOORLANOITAN RES EARCHINSTITUTE UMUDIKE
- 3. TABLE OF CONTENT 1. Introduction 3 1.1. CassavaproductioninNigeria 3 2. Landselection/Landpreparation 4 2.1. Land/siteselection 4 2.2. Landclearing 4 2.3. Seedbedpreparation 4 3. Planting 5 3.1. Selectionofplantingmaterials 5 3.2. Sourcesofplantingmaterials 5 3.3. Stemselectionandmanagement 6 3.4. Cassavaplantingandplantposition 7 3.5. Plantingspacing 8 3.6. Gapfilling(supply)incassavafield 8 4. Weedmanagement 8 4.1. Manualweeding 8 4.2. Useofherbicides 9 4.3. Culturalweeding 9 5. Fertilizertypeandapplicationmethod 9 5.1. Fertilizertypesandapplication 10 6. Pestanddiseasecontrol 11 6.1. Pestcontrol 11 6.2. Diseasecontrol 12 7. Harvesting 13 8. Reference 13 01
- 5. 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 CASSAVA PRODUCTION IN NIGERIA Cassava,(ManihotesculentaCrantz),isastapleformostNigerians,supplyingabout70%ofthetotalcalorieintakeofover 60 million people in the country. Globally, it provides calories for nearly 600 million people in developing countries. It is a hardy crop, and easily adaptable to different ecological zones of Nigeria. Apart from its use as a major source of carbohydrate, it has diverse uses in the pharmaceutical, confectionery and livestock industries. Thus it gradually gaining importanceasanindustrialcrop. 03
- 7. 05 2.1. Land/Site Selection · Select fertile land on a flat terrain or gentle slope. · Steep slopes should be avoided as they could be erosion-prone. · Select deep, well drained, loamy sand soil. · Avoid waterlogged soils (otherwise prepare ridge or mounds). · Avoid stony soil as it affects storage root 2.2. Land Clearing · Clear the land with minimum damage to the top soil · Practice minimum tillage in sandy soil to conserve soil, organic matter, moisture, and reduce soil erosion. · Care should be taken to avoid damage to the top soil by using heavy machinery. Such damage paves way to rapid land degradation and subsequent poor yields of cassava produce. · Avoid slash and burn to conserve the organic matter of the soil (OM is the power house) · Economic trees (oil palm, teak, mahogany etc) can be left but pruned to avoid shading cassava. 2.3. Seed Bed Preparation · Cassava can be planted on flat, ridges or mounds depending on soil type. · On deep, well drained loamy sand – Plough and harrow (for good weed control, soil contact with stem cuttings and storage root formation) · Make mounds or ridges in water logged soil condition. · For mechanized farming: Plough, harrow and ridge with depth of 20-30cm Note: Poor land preparation results in poor plant establishment and increased weed competition. CASSAVA TRAINING MANUAL Note Presence of certain plant species or earthworm casts, are indicatorsoffertilesoils. Goodsoil(loamysand)canbemouldedintoaballthatbreaks underslightpressure). Cassava grows poorly in clayey and stony soils
- 8. 3. PLANTING
- 9. 07 3.1. Selection of Planting Materials Careful selection of cassava variety is an important step leading to high yield and increase in quality of produce. Good varieties must: · Grow fast (vigorous growth) under different climatic conditions & ecological zones · Give good yields · Tolerate major diseases and pests · Mature early · Give high root yields (fresh and dry) · Has high starch & crude protein content to meet end-users quality characteristics · Store well in ground for more than 18 months · Start with the right variety, for the right output, and for the right income. Note: You need to select the variety with the highest performance in your farm site and environs. 3.2. Sources of Planting Materials · National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike or its sub-stations atIgbariam, Otobi, Kuru, Nyanya, Maro and Ireshi · International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. · State Agricultural Development Programs (ADP) · National Seed Service · Cassava Stem producers/Outgrowers · Cassava Growers Association Cassava varieties:NR 8082, TMS 98/0505, TMS 98/0581, TME 419, NR87184, TMS 98/0510, TMS 30572, NR 8212, TMS 4(2)1425, UMUCASS 36, UMUCASS 37 and UMUCASS38 3.3. Stem Selection and Management. · Select mature woody/semiwoody stems from healthy plants that are 6-18 months old. · Do not use green portions. Middle portions of the stem establish better than the tips and basal portions · Stems should be disease free without evidence of cankers/wounds or any disease symptoms on stems and leaves. · Select thick stems for better storage and sprouting. · Stems to be planted at a later date should be stored standing under shade. CASSAVA TRAINING MANUAL
- 10. 08 · One hectare of farm needs 55-60 bundles of cassava stem each containing 50 stems of 1m length · Cut stems into stakes of 20-25cm length with sharp cutlass/machete, secateurs, chain/hack saw. · Stakes should have at least 5-7 nodes. · Avoid cuttings being bruised by cutting with blunt objects. · Treat with fungicide/insecticide (Champion, Benlate, Diazinon, Perfecthion and nutrex) · Treat with termiticide before planting in fields predisposed to termite attack Note: Poor preparation and handling of stem cuttings could result in poor sprouting, rooting, and low yield. 3.4. Cassava Planting and Planting Method/Position · Select correct planting time: April-May for early planting and August for late planting in the rainforest, May-June in the Savanah · Plant cassava at a time when there is adequate moisture in the soil. Let your timing be such that the field receives at least 60 days of rainfall before the dry season begins. This ensures good sprouting and crop establishment. Note: Planting date recommendations should fit within local farming calendars. · Plant stakes at slanting position of 45 degrees, burying 2/3 of the length into the soil with the bud facing upwards. · Planting position depends on soil types: vertical, horizontal or slanting position. · Use horizontal planting method for multiple stem production. In this case, the stakes are completely buried in the soil to a depth of 5cm. · Use vertical planting method in porous, lose or sandy soils and environments prone to lodging. This makes deeper rooting of the stakes possible. · Plant in rows or lines for ease of other operations. RATE Table 1: Fungicide/insecticide types, rates and time of application FUNGICIDE/INSECTICIDE TIME OF APPLICATION Tecto 60 10-20g/20-30 litres of water Morning/Evening Neem leaf powder 1kg/5 litres of water Morning/Evening Basudin 40ml/20-30 litres of water Morning/Evening Source: Eke-Okoro, Ekwe and Nwosu, 2005 CASSAVA TRAINING MANUAL
- 11. 09 3.1. SelectionofPlantingMaterials Careful selection of cassava variety is an important step leadingtohighyieldandincreaseinqualityofproduce. Goodvarietiesmust: · Grow fast (vigorous growth) under different climaticconditions&ecologicalzones · Givegood yields · Toleratemajordiseasesand pests · Matureearly · Givehighrootyields(freshand dry) · Has high starch & crude protein content to meet end-usersqualitycharacteristics · Storewellinground formorethan18months · Start with the right variety, for the right output, andfortherightincome. Note: You need to select the variety with the highest performanceinyourfarmsiteandenvirons. 3.2. SourcesofPlantingMaterials · National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike or its sub-stations atIgbariam, Otobi, Kuru, Nyanya,MaroandIreshi · International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA),Ibadan. · StateAgriculturalDevelopmentPrograms(ADP) · NationalSeedService · CassavaStemproducers/Outgrowers · CassavaGrowersAssociation Cassavavarieties: NR 8082, TMS 98/0505, TMS 98/0581, TME 419, NR87184, TMS 98/0510, TMS 30572, NR 8212, TMS 4(2)1425, UMUCASS 36, UMUCASS37andUMUCASS38
- 13. 11 Weeds compete with cassava for space, light, and water and can reduce cassava yields by about 40%. Therefore, keep the farm weed-free by either manual weeding or application of herbicides.Culturalmethodcanalsobeused. 4.1. ManualWeeding: This is done using machetes, cutlasses, hoes, and any other tool adapted to clear the weed. Weeding should be done three times, specifically at the 4, 8 and 12 weeks afterplantingwherepre-emergenceherbicideisnotused. 4.2. UseofHerbicides: Herbicides may be applied pre or post-emergence of crops. a. Applypre-emergenceherbicidesimmediatelyafter planting or 1-2 days after planting. Spray the herbicides either in the morning or evening only. S o m e p re - e m e rg e n c e h e rb i c i d e s a n d recommendedratesare: i. Primextra at 5 litres/ha or 350-375ml/15 litresknapsacksprayer ii. Cotoran 5000fw at 5litres/ha or 350- 370ml/15litresknapsacksprayer iii. Fusiladeat4litres/ha b. Apply post-emergence herbicides at 4-8 months afterplanting. Spray herbicides in the morning or evening only. Some post-emergenceherbicidesandratesofapplicationare: i. Glyphosate at 3 litres/ha or 225ml/15 litres knapsacksprayer ii. Paraquat at 2 litres/ha or 150ml/15 litres knapsack sprayer. Shield should be used to keep chemicaloffthecrop Glyphosate and Paraquat may be used as a pre-planting herbicidetokillfallowvegetation. 4.3. CulturalMethodofWeedControl Cultural method of weed control entails adopting practices that minimize weed growth in a cassava field. This includes planting before weed emergence, use of low growing cover crops like egusi, cowpea, sweet potato; mulching of young cassava fields and use of low branching varieties with early canopy closure to suppressweeds.
- 15. 13 Cassava grows well in less fertile soils compared to other crops. It, however, responds well to the application of inorganic fertilizers and farm yard manures. The optimal rates of fertilizer to apply depend on the inherent soil fertility. Generally, blanket application of 400kg/ha of 15:15:15 NPK can be done where soil analysis has not been done to determine specific nutrient requirements 5.1. FertilizerTypesandApplicationMethod · Fe r t i l i z e r t y p e s : N P K 1 5 : 1 5 : 1 5 a n d 12:12:17+2MgO · Rate:400kg/ha · Time of application: Single dose 2 months after planting · Split application: first application 3-4 WAP; second application12-14WAP · ApplicationMethods:Ringorbandmethods(10cm awayfromcassavainaringof6cmwide) · Apply20g/plantoramatchbox/plant Anyoftherecommendationsinthetablebelowcanalsobeused: Table 2: Fertilizer types, rates, methods and periods of application FERTILIZER TYPE RATE, kg/ha METHOD PERIOD NPK 20:10:10:25:1Zn 400-600 Band 8 week after planting NPK 20:10:5:10:10Ca 400-600 Band 8 week after planting NPK 12:12:17:2mg 400-600 Band 8 week after planting Or, apply straight fertilizer at 90kgN:20kgP:75kgK per hectare plus4-5kg/haAgrolyzer(micronutrientsupplement). Apply organic manure to soils regularly to improve organic matter in the soil, at 3000-5000kg per hectare plus 4-6kg/ha Agrolyzer.
- 17. 15 6.1. PestControl The major pests of cassava in the farm are termites, grasshoppers, cassava mealy bugs, green spider mites, rats, bush fowls, grass cutters, wild pigs and man. These canbecontrolledasfollows: i. Termites: treat stakes with Basudin at 40ml per 20 litres of water or dip the stakes in a solution of Ultracideat400gmperliterofwater ii. Grasshoppers: when the population of the insect is high, spray with Vetox 85 at 1.5kg per 250 litres of waterperhectare,otherwise,handpick. iii. Cassava mealy bug and green spider mites: these canbecontrolledby: - Useofresistantcassavavarieties - Good farm sanitation and removal of infected plants - Earlyplantingofcassava - Use of natural enemies like beetles and predatory mites - Planting in horizontal position and completely buryingthestakes - Dipping stakes for 5 minutes in mixture of 20ml of Nuvacron and 10 litres of water and air-drying beforeplanting iv. Rats, bush fowls, grass-cutters, wild pigs, man: Thesemaybecontrolledby: - Fencing - Useoftraps - Useofscarecrows - Useofsecuritymen 6.2. DiseaseControl Cassava diseases are mainly caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi. These cause injuries which express themselves in symptoms such as discoloration of leaves, lesions and sores on stems and storage roots. Physiological stress from drought and nutrient deficiencies can also cause diseasesthatexpresssimilarsymptoms. Major diseases of cassava are cassava mosaic disease (CMD), cassava bacterial blight (CBB), cassava anthracnosedisease(CAD)andcassavarootrot(CRR). i. Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD): Caused by a virus, this disease is recognized by yellowing (chlorosis) of cassava leaves and distortion (twisting) of the leaves to make their shapes different from normal. It occurs mainly during the rainy season and is controlledbyusinghealthy,disease resistantcassavavarietiesandcrop rotation.
- 18. 16 ii. BacterialBlight:Thisisadiseasecausedbybacteria and is predominant during the rainy season. Symptoms are different shapes of water-soaked patches on the leaf (angular spots), wilting of leaves and branches, gum exudate on the stem and diebackofthebranchtopsorstem.Controlby: - Using resistant varieties (most of the improved varietiesarediseasesandpestresistantaslistedon page5) - Usingdisease-freeorcleanstakes - Practicing good crop sanitation by burying infected plantsorplantresidues. Cassava Anthracnose Disease: It is caused by fungus, and recognized by dark-brown wounds (lesions or canker) on the stem that may lead to wilting and dropping of leaves. It also occursmainlyduringtherainyseason.Controlby: - Usingresistantcassavavarieties - Usingcleananddisease-freestems - Practicing good crop sanitation by burying infected plantsandresidues. Cassava Root Rot: The disease is caused by fungus and other micro-organisms.Symptomisthedecayingofroots resulting to wilting and collapsing of the plant. It occursmostlyonwater-loggedsoils.Controlby: - Usingresistantcassavavarieties - Correctuseoffarminputslike fertilizers - Planting in areas or soils with good drainage; early harvest of cassava roots will reduce incidence of thisdisease. Major Cassava pests and DiseaseCassava brown streakCassava brown streak Cassava Mealy bugCassava Mosaic DiseaseCassava bacteria blight Cassava bacteria blightCassava bacteria blightGreen spider mite
- 19. 7. HARVESTING
- 20. Note Delayedharvestingmaycauserootstobecomefibrous orrot 18 Most cassava varieties are mature for harvesting at 10-12 months after planting. Cut the stem 20cm above soil level and lift roots by pulling the stump. Harvest when the soil is moist, not too dry, to avoid damage to the roots. Detached roots that are free from adhering soils can be gathered into heaps and, thereafter, conveyed to appropriate place for processing · Harvesting is mostly manual · Harvest on time to avoid loss. · Harvest as soon as the storage roots are mature. · Optimum time for harvesting varies according to the variety, climate and soil factors. · Early maturing varieties 9-12 months and late maturing varieties 12-18 months CASSAVATRAININGMANUAL
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- 24. 22 TABLE 1: FUNGICID, INSECTICIDE AND HERBICIDE RECOMMENDED FOR CASAVA PRODUCTION FUNGICIDE INSECTICIDE 1 Ultimax Plus Copper oxide + metalaxyl Contact and systemic To control fungal attack on cassava 800g/ha 50g in 15LT of water Morning or evening Relambd a Plus Lambdacyhalot hrin + dimenthoate Contact and stomach poisoning Controls Aphidmealy bugs other insects 50ml in 15 liter of water 2 Cyperkill Cypermethrin + dimenthoate Aphid white flies mealy bugs etc 50ml in 15 liter of water 3 Termifos Chlorpyrifos Termites 60ml in 15liter of water Morning or evening S/N Name Active Ingredient Mode Of Action Uses Rate Of Application Time Of Application 1 Morning and evening Contact and stomach poisoning Morning and evening Contact stomach and respiratory S/N Name Active Ingredient Mode Of Action Uses Rate Of Application Time Of Application
- 25. 23 HERBICIDE USE 4.2 Xtravest Atrazine + metholaclor RODENTICIDE Rodilon wax block Difenthialone1 S/N Name Active Ingredient Mode Of Action Uses Rate Of Application Time Of Application Stomach poisoning and dehydration To control rate and other rodents 1 block per 10 meters interval in the affected area Note: do not touch with bare hand Pre-emergence Pre-emergence Seed weed control Seed weed control 4-5 litre per hecter 300 – 350ml in 15 LT water 1-2 days after planting morning or evening 1 S/N Name Active Ingredient Mode Of Action Uses Rate Of Application Time Of Application 2 Lagon Aclonifen +isoxafluto 500-750 mill/hectre 60 – 75ml in 15lt water 1-2 days after planting morning /evening 3 Relisate (Clearweed) Glyphosate Pre-plant and post emergence/ systemic To control existing weeds 3-4 litres per hecter 250-300ml in 15 litre of water Morning/ Evening
- 26. 24 Reliquat Weedcrusher Paraquat Contact, pre-plant post emergence Post emergence selective herbicide To control existing weeds Control existing grassy weed in cassava farm 2LT/ha 200ml in 15LT of water Morning / evening 4 S/N Name Active Ingredient Mode Of Action Uses Rate Of Application Time Of Application 5 Narowdown Plugzifip – p- butyl 2.5LT/ha 250ml in 15 liter of water 4-6 weeks after planting