Production potential of cassava (Manlhot esculent a Grants) intercropped in coconut gardens

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at the coconut Research Station. Balaramapuram during 1983-84 and 1984-85 to study the production potential of cassava varieties Sreevisakham and Malayan-4, intercropped in coconut gardens, as influenced by planting density, growth regulators and different levels of NPK fertilisers. The cassava hybrid Sreevisakham was superior to the popular cultlvar Maiayan-4 in nuirber of nodes plant 1, number of functional leaves plant™1, leaf area index, net assimilation rate, crop growth rates, dry matter production, utilisation index, tuber bulking rate and in fresh tuber yield. For intercropping one hectare of coconut garden in which coconuts are spaced at 7.5 x 7.5 m, cassava plant population of 8000 (spacing 90 x 90 cm) was found to be optimum to produce maximum fresh tuber yield* Cassava plants at higher planting density, were stunted in growth and produced poor quality tubers. The growth regulators cycocel and ethrel though decreased the plant height, could not Influence either the yield attributes or yield and quality of cassava tubers.