Phosphorus affects storage root yield of cassava through root numbers

John Okoth Omondi, Naftali Lazarovitch, Shimon Rachmilevitch, Uri Yermiyahu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of phosphorus applied through fertigation on growth and root yield of cassava. This was achieved through a greenhouse pot-experiment consisting of 1, 4, 7, 10, 20 and 30 mg P L−1. Increasing P from 1 to 30 mg P L−1 realized a 57.1 and 150.0% increase in leaf blade P in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Similarly, chlorophyll content and shoot growth increased as P concentration in solution increased. However, leaf stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis reached a maximum in 7 and 20 mg P L−1 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. This trend of stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis was consistent with that of dry root yield and storage roots numbers. Regressing dry root yield against storage root numbers showed that R2 = 0.80. Phosphorus encourages formation of storage roots and the duration of cassava’s growth affects the amount of P required for maximum root yield.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2070-2079
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Plant Nutrition
Volume42
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 Oct 2019

Keywords

  • fertigation
  • fertilizer
  • irrigation
  • macro-elements
  • roots

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Agronomy and Crop Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Phosphorus affects storage root yield of cassava through root numbers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this