Influence of Compost and Farmyard Manure on Cassava Growth, Yield and Dry Matter Partitioning at Mvomero and Masasi Districts

Aims: Field experiments were conducted for two seasons: 2019/20 and 2020/21 under rain fed cropping seasons to determine yield response of cassava to compost (CP) and farmyard manure (FYM) application.

Study Design: The experiments were laid out in a RCBD with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: Vianzi village in Mvomero district and Mumbaka village in Masasi district between December 2019 to November 2021.

Methodology: At each site, Treatments involving CP and FYM tested separately at four different levels; 2.5 t ha-1, 5 t ha-1, 7.5 t ha-1 and a control (0 t ha-1) was included. Both CP and FYM treatment rates were applied by broadcasting method followed by incorporation into the soil prior to cassava planting. Data on cassava plant height and cassava stem girth were collected for assessment of cassava growth and data on number of tubers per plant, cassava root fresh and dry biomass were recorded for assessment of cassava yield.

Results: At Mvomero site, a maximum significant (P=.01) cassava fresh weight (19.18 t ha-1) were obtained from the plots treated with 5 t ha-1 FYM giving yield advantage of 67.5% above the control in 2020/21. In the CP treated plots, a maximum significant (P =.001) yield (22.2 t ha-1) was obtained giving 69% yield advantage above the control in 2020/21. At Masasi site, a maximum of 24.3 t ha-1 cassava fresh weight were obtained in 2020/21 giving 77.7% yield advantage over the control. In the CP treated plots in 2020/21, 18.7 t ha-1 cassava fresh weight was obtained giving 34.6% yield advantage over control.

Conclusion: Application of CP and FYM not only improve cassava yields as it is for inorganic fertilizers but also, they have an added advantage of improving soil health conditions in season and over years. For best results application of CP or FYM should be 5.0 t ha-1.