Quality of tubers in tapioca (Manihot Utilissima Pohl) var malayan-4 as influenced by N, P, K and Ca fertilization

Abstract

Field experiments and quality studies on tapioca variety 4/Malayan-4" study the effect of three graded levels each of nitrogen (50, 100 and 150 kg N per hectare), phosphorus (0, 50 and 100 kg P,0» per hectare), potash (100, 150 and 200 kg K2O per hectare) in conjunction with calcium (0, 600 and 1200 kg CaO per hectare) on the quality of tapioca tuber grown in the red loam soils of Agricultural College farm at Vellayani, Trivandrum have shown that application of higher levels of N beyond 100 kg/ha decreased the weight of edible fleshy portion of tubers, though it increased the protein content, dry matter as well as the starch content. Application of K increased the weight of edible portion, dry matter as well as starch content of tubers, though its application beyond 150 kg KjO/ha reduced the protein content. Application of moderate levels of 50 kg P: 05 and 600 kg CaO/ha also had some favourable influence on starch content, though they had very little effect on the protein content, as well as weight of edible fleshy portion of the tubers.