Cassava production improvement through staggered planting for industrial processing and utilization in Eastern and Southern zone of Tanzania

Abstract

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is mainly cultivated because of its starchy storage roots and it is considered one of the most important staple foods in the tropical countries. High dry matter contents and starch yields are the most important traits for commercialized cassava starch production. The experiment aimed at identifying suitable cassava scheduled planting, harvesting and varietal performance to maximize starch production across the three locations in Eastern and Southern zones of Tanzania during the 2017/18 - 2018/19 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot under randomized complete block design with variety being main factor, planting schedules as sub plot and scheduled harvesting as sub-sub plot. The total root yield increased significantly from first to third planting and harvesting times respectively. Kiroba variety planted in November/December and then harvested at twelve months after planting (MAP) gave higher total root yield of 27 tones per hactre (t/ha) at Southern zone and also at the Eastern zone Kiroba variety planted in November/December and March/April yielded higher total root (22t/ha) when harvested at 12MAP. Based on cassava dry matter content; the study concluded that: higher dry matter content was obtained when Mkuranga 1 variety planted on November/December and harvested at 12MAP gave 40% followed by Kiroba variety planted in November/December and harvested after 12MAP had 39% at Southern zone. Also the study found that; cassava starch content was higher (23%) at Southern zone when Mkuranga 1 variety planted during November/December and harvested at 12MAP before the onset of rainfall.