Source: International Institute for Tropical Agriculture
Common names: Cassava, Manioc, Tapioca
Scientific name: Manihot esculenta
Cassava when planted as an intercrop
along with cowpea or groundnut in tree crops like Eucalyptus and Leucaena reduces soil run-off and soil-loss. Forage
yield of Leucaena improves and results best growth on Eucalyptus (in terms of girth size) when grown with cassava + groundnut (Ghosh; et. al., 1989: pp. 67-82).
Canavalia or crotalaria (legume crops) when planted as intercrops with cassava improves soil productivity. Sow 1 row of Canavalia or crotalaria between rows of cassava immediately after planting cassava. Let
these grow until harvest. Plow-under to incorporate into the soil (CIAT, 2000).
Cassava grows rather well on poor soils but to produce high yields the crop requires large amount of nutrients
. To maintain high yields, it is necessary to maintain the fertility of the soil. Some Asian farmers apply 5-7 tons of manure in a hectare. The application of nutrients to cassava soils in the form of animal manure and through intercropping
with grain legumes play significant roles in increasing cassava yields and maintaining soil fertility (CIAT,
The cassava plant can be maintained as a semi-perennial forage crop
for at least 2 years provided there is fertilization either with goat or pig manure (Sopheak, undated). Application of NPK at the rate of 60-60-120 kg/ha can significantly increase cassava yield (Cong, 2001). However, fertilizer recommendations based on soil analyses provide the very best chance of getting the right amount of fertilizer without over or under fertilizing. Ask for assistance from local agriculturist office for soil sampling
and soil analysis
The cassava plant has toxic compounds (cyanogens) in its tubers and leaves.
Improper preparation of cassava for food should be avoided. Boiling and drying make cassava safe for consumption. Grating, fermenting, and sun-drying are other effective methods.
- Braun, M. (1997): IPM Training Manual. Tanzanian-German IPM Project, GTZ, PPD, Shinyaga, Tanzania.
- CABI. (2004): Crop protection compendium. 2004 Edition. CAB International Publishing. Wallingford, UK.
- CGIAR. (1997): Centers declare victory over the cassava green mite. CGIAR Newsletter. Vol. 4, No. 4.
- CIAT. (2000): Cassava. Asian Regional Program. DA. Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Cong, P.T. (2001): Upland cropping systems in Vietnam. Institute of Agricultural Science. Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Ghosh, S.P.; et al. (1989): Productivity, soil fertility and soil erosion under cassava based agroforestry systems. Agroforestry Systems. Vol. 8,
- IITA. (2000): Integrated management of cassava pests. Highlights of Project No.10. IITA 99 Annual Report. IITA-Benin.
- Siritunga, D.; Sayre, R. (2004): Engineering cyanogen synthesis and turnover in cassava (Manihot esculenta). Plant Molecular Biology. Vol. 56: pp. 661-669.
- Sopheak, S. (undat): Vegetable production with emphasis on Chinese cabbage, water spinach, and cassava. Royal University of Agriculture, Chamcar Daung, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Youdeowei, A. (2002): Integrated pest management practices for the production of roots and tubers and plantains. Integrated Pest Management Extension Guide 3; series editors: A. Cudjoe and M. Braun; Ministry of Food and Agriculture, GTZ and CTA.