Effects of spacing on cassava (Manihot esculenta)

Three varieties in one cassava trial and 5 in another were planted in a sytematic density experiment, which showed that optimum plant density for root yield changes with plant age. Some varieties showed a pronounced optimum plant population whereas others showed a flat-topped response curve. Reduction in yield above the optimum is due to a reduced harvest index. Yields of over 50 tons/ha were obtained with varieties that responded to close spacing. (AS)