AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF CASSAVA VARIETIES IN IRRIGATED SYSTEM

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the productivity and adaptation of the cassava varieties BRS 399, BRS 400, BRS 401, Cacau, and ARN in the north of the state of Tocantins in irrigated system. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Federal Institute of Tocantins (IFTO), Colinas do Tocantins campus. The design used was randomized blocks, the treatments were the varieties of cassava mentioned before, with four replications. Each replication had four rows of ten plants, the useful experimental plot was composed of the two central rows, in which the five central plants of each row were evaluated. Irrigation management used was the drip tapes. Three fertilizations were performed and the evaluations occurred nine months after planting. Plant height, the first bifurcation height, shoot mass, storage roots (root productivity), harvest index, cooking time, amount of starch and flour yield were the variables evaluated. The results presented significant differences among the five varieties tested for plant height and the first bifurcation height, shoot mass, root productivity and cooking time. All varieties obtained satisfactory productivity, with BRS 401, BRS 400, and BRS 399 had the highest yield, 61.26, 52.34, and 49.70 t/ha, respectively. The Cacau, ARN, and BRS 401 had the shortest cooking time, 16, 17, and 18.5 minutes, respectively. The BRS 401 variety was the one that obtained the highest plant height, the first bifurcation height, root productivity (61.26 t/ha), and shoot mass (30.97 t/ha). In general, all varieties tested showed promising results and can be recommended for planting in the north of the state of Tocantins.