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Physiology of cassava |
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| Indira J. Ekanayake; David S.O Osiru; Marcio C.M. Porto |
October 1998 |
| Abstract. Cassava is one of the most important food crops in Africa. Roots and leaves are both used as food. Its growth depends on several factors. Canopy development is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Canopy and storage roots grow simultaneously, competing for assimilates. Two parameters of canopy development are leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area duration (LAD). Yield of storage roots is determined by crop growth rate and partitioning of assimlates between shoots and roots. Also, various environmental factors affect yield. Nevertheless, a modest root yield can be produced on soils that are too poor for other crops. | |||