Open AccessAdaptation of the rapid multiplication method: selecting stem cuttings based on their number of leaves for cassava seedling production
Author(s) -
André Schöffel,
Sidinei José Lopes,
Jana Koefender,
Alessandro Dal’Cól Lúcio,
Juliane Nicolodi Câmera,
Diego Pascoal Golle
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta scientiarum. agronomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.438
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1807-8621
pISSN - 1679-9275
DOI - 10.4025/actasciagron.v43i1.50289
Subject(s) - cutting , sowing , randomized block design , dry matter , horticulture , shoot , seedling , greenhouse , growing season , biology , irrigation , acclimatization , mathematics , botany , agronomy
A study was conducted during four growing seasons to investigate the rooting capacity and survival percentage of cassava seedlings from stem cuttings selected based on their number of leaves. The experimental design was a randomized block design with five replications in a factorial scheme (4 × 2 × 2), totalling 16 treatments. Treatments consisted of combinations of growing season (September 22, October 7 and 19, and November 25), stem cuttings smaller (15 to 19.99 mm) and larger (20 to 25 mm) than 20 mm in diameter, and number of leaves on the stem cuttings (3 to 5 and 6 to 8 leaves). The experiment was carried out during the four growing seasons in a Van der Hoeven greenhouse. The greenhouse, as well as the benches on which the treatments were placed, had a north-south orientation. The greenhouse has an automatic mist irrigation system, and the mean temperature was 25 °C. The plant height at planting, number of leaves at planting, and number of leaves at 7 days after planting were measured. The final number of leaves, final plant height, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, and total dry matter were measured after acclimatization. Stem cuttings between 20 and 25 mm in diameter should be used to produce cassava seedlings with the rapid multiplication method. Cuttings with 6 to 8 visible leaves should be collected, and the cuttings should be planted at the end of September.