PLANTING

Orientation of planting. Plant cassava cuttings vertically, at an angle, or horizontally (Figure 3).

Vertical planting: place two-thirds of the cutting in the soil.

Planting at an angle: place two-thirds of the cutting in the soil, with an angle ranging from slightly above horizontal to about 60°.

Horizontal planting: place the entire cutting horizontally in the soil at a depth of 5-20 cm; usually 10 cm.

The orientation of the cutting influences growth characteristics. Cuttings planted vertically sprout and develop foliage quicker than cuttings planted at an angle or horizontally.

Vertical planting produces deeper tuberous roots than angled planting, while horizontal planting produces the shallowest tuberous roots. However, tuberous roots from vertical or angled planting are arranged more compactly, and are more difficult to harvest than tuberous roots from horizontal planting.

Most modern mechanical planters are designed for horizontal planting. The planter opens a furrow and drops the cutting horizontally.

Experience in different cassava-growing areas shows that

in clay soils with sufficient rainfall (1000-2000 mm/year), planting may be horizontal, vertical, or angled, because the moisture is adequate for sprouting

in sandy soils and under erratic rainfall, plant vertically. A 20-30 cm cutting, planted vertically, reaches 20 cm deep into the soil, and may find enough contact with available moisture

Planting time. Plant as early as possible, just before the rains or after the rains begin. Delayed planting leads to reduced yield. When planted early, cuttings sprout, establish well, and receive sufficient moisture; plants withstand diseases and pests later in the season.

Planting depth. Regulate planting depth according to prevailing environmental conditions. Shallow planting at low soil moisture results in poor establishment and low yield. Therefore, in dry, sandy soils, plant cassava cuttings deep; in moist and heavy soils, plant shallow.

Remember that deep planting makes harvesting difficult and increases production costs. However, deep planting is advisable in areas prone to termite attacks.

Plant density. Plant density depends on

soil and climate

variety

soil fertility

cultural practices

end use of tuberous roots

Optimum plant density varies from upland to inland valleys and depends on whether cassava is an intercrop or a monocrop. Denser planting is practised in inland valleys with distance between cassava plants ranging from 50 to 100 cm.

In traditional farming, cassava often grows together with yams, maize, groundnut, banana, and melon. The distance between cassava plants in the upland and depending on the type of intercrop ranges from 100 to 400 cm. In a monocrop, space cassava 80-100 cm within and between rows. Although no universal recommendation exists, in Africa, a plant density of 10 000-15 000 plants/ha gives a good crop.