Evaluation of Different Stem Portions of Cassava (Manihot Esculentus ) in the Management of its Establishment and Yield.

Experiments were conducted at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) research farm during the 2007 and 2008 cropping seasons to evaluate different stem portions of cassava varieties for establishment and yield. A randomized complete block design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement and four replications per trial was used. The treatments were two early maturing varieties- IITA92/0061 and NR8082, then the stock, middle and top portions of these varieties. The stock significantly (P < 0.05) out yielded the top and the middle portions in spite of the early and high percent establishment exhibited by the middle. Total average yield was higher in 2008 and this was attributed to early and even distribution of rainfall which led to planting earlier that year. It is clear in this study that stock portions which are traditionally discards after harvest can be good source of planting material. However, further research is needed to screen the stocks of many cassava varieties to confirm our findings.