Growth Characteristics of a Recommended Cassava Cultivar, Rayong 3, in Thailand

Abstract

Growth characteristics of Rayong 3, a recommended cultivar with sparse branching habit, were compared with those of Rayong 1, a traditional cultivar with tall and erect stems. Root production was largely influenced by the total dry matter production during the rainy season which was closely associated with a leaf area index (LAI). Rayong 3 showed some advantages in root production when compared with Rayong 1; i) high dry matter production during the rainy season, which was associated with a high LAI due to mainly the high leaf production rate per plant, ii) a high harvest index and iii) high dry matter and starch contents of storage roots. A moderate branching habit, represented by Rayong 3, could maintain a high harvest index when the total dry matter production and leaf area increased under the prevailing growth conditions of cassava in Thailand. © 1989, CROP SCIENCE SOCIETY OF JAPAN. All rights reserved.