Moisture distribution influence on growth and yield development of Cassava under different fertilizer types and fertigation systems

Abstract

This study assessed moisture content (MC) influence on the growth and yield of cassava under four different treatment methods. Two cassava varieties, TMS 0581 and TME 419 were used as research crop while the four treatment methods included; fertigation (TRT A), NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (TRT B), Farmyard manure (TRT C) and control (TRT D) with three replicates each. A Hi 5000 mini fertigator (Hanna series) was used in TRT A which combined excellently liquid fertilizer with irrigation water and administered it in pre-determined rates. Agronomic measurement such as number of leaves, Plant height, stem girth, number of branch and leaf area were taken and soil properties such as the bulk density, particle density, and pH were measured. Soil moisture content at depths 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 cm were also measured in all the four treatments using standard methods. From the result, agronomic responses were highest in TRT A (fertigation) and was lowest in TRT D (control). Similarly, all the soil properties determined were within the minimum permissible limits as specified by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) values. Using United State Department of Agricultural (USDA) textural triangle, soil in the first two treatments, TRT A and TRT B were clay loamy (38% silt, 31.76% clay, 30.24% sand and 40.21% silt, 27.27% clay, 32.52% sand respectively) while the last two treatment, TRT C and TRT D had a predominantly loamy soil (41.47% silt, 25.36% clay, 33.18% sand and 41.22% silt, 26.43% clay, 32.35% sand respectively). From the soil moisture analysis performed, the same MC pattern was observed in all the treatments with values ranging from 3% through 15% which indicated a considerable effect on the growth and yield parameters of the two varieties of the cassava considered for the study. Most impressive agronomic responses obtained in TRT A as compared with other treatments suggested that parameters other than MC was responsible for the behavior.