Effect of planting and harvesting time on cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Var. Gambyong

Abstract

Cassava has become a premier commodity used as the raw material for local's food production. Gunungkidul Regency is well known as the central production of cassava, thus, becoming the main reference for the consumers either persons, group, or firms. However, Cassava's availability has remained a problem as its productivity cannot fulfill the demand of the market. Planting and harvest time are the main problem as it remains unclear, especially for local varieties at Gunungkidul regency. This research aimed to determine the proper time to plant and harvest cassava cv. Gambyong. Factorial treatments consisting of two factors were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). This first factor was the planting time (September, October, November, and December), while the second factor was the harvesting time (four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine month). There were three replications within each treatment, so that there were 72 experimental units. The result revealed that the cassava planted in September had increasing growth rate, development, and tuber yield started from 4 to 9 month of harvest time. Meanwhile, the cassava planted in October, November, and December showed decreasing growth rate, development, and tuber yield of all harvest time.