Physiological and Morphological Responses of Cassava Genotypes to Fertilization Regimes in Chromi-Haplic Acrisols Soils

Sydney Mwamba; Peter Kaluba; Dany Moualeu-Ngangue; Etti Winter; Martin Chiona; Benson H. Chishala; Kalaluka Munyinda; Hartmut Stützel

doi:10.3390/agronomy11091757

Agronomy (Aug 2021)

Physiological and Morphological Responses of Cassava Genotypes to Fertilization Regimes in Chromi-Haplic Acrisols Soils

Sydney Mwamba,
Peter Kaluba,
Dany Moualeu-Ngangue,
Etti Winter,
Martin Chiona,
Benson H. Chishala,
Kalaluka Munyinda,
Hartmut Stützel

Affiliations

Sydney Mwamba: Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz University Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, D-30419 Hannover, Germany
Peter Kaluba: Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz University Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, D-30419 Hannover, Germany
Dany Moualeu-Ngangue: Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz University Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, D-30419 Hannover, Germany
Etti Winter: Institute for Environmental Economics and World Trade, Leibniz University of Hannover, Königsworther Platz 1, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
Martin Chiona: Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Root and Tuber Crops, Mansa P.O. Box 710129, Zambia
Benson H. Chishala: Department of Soil Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Kalaluka Munyinda: Department of Plant Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia
Hartmut Stützel: Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz University Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 2, D-30419 Hannover, Germany

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091757
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11, no. 9
p. 1757

Abstract

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The objective of this study was to evaluate the performances of three cassava genotypes on yield, physiology and morphological traits under different fertilization regimes. A field experiment was conducted in a split-plot design for two consecutive seasons in the Mansa district of the Luapula Province of Northern Zambia in the highly weathered Chromi-haplic Acrisol soils. Four fertilization regimes, control-M3, lime-M1, NPK fertilizer-M4 and NPK fertilizer + lime-M2 were the main plots, while three varieties (Mweru-V1, Bangweulu-V2 and Katobamputa (local)-V3) were subplots. Periodic measurements of leaf area index, light interception, yield and yield components from 75 days after planting (DAP) up to 410 DAP and daily weather measurements of data were recorded. Fertilization significantly increased the radiation use efficiency (RUE) and light extinction coefficient (K) in two seasons compared to the control. Significant fertilization regimes and varietal effects were observed for seasonal LAI, stem yield, root yield, biomass, harvest index (HI), tuber number, root diameter, plant height and SPAD (chlorophyll index). A significant year’s effects on root yield, yield components and physiological performances were observed while significant fertilization × variety interaction was observed on seasonal LAI, tuber number, root diameter, plant height and SPAD. Significant fertilization × year interaction effects were observed on root yield, yield components and physiological performances. Variety × year interaction was significant for seasonal LAI, stem yield, harvest index and plant height and no three-way interactions were observed on all the traits. NPK fertilizer + lime and NPK fertilizer treatments may be adopted to increase the response of cassava varietal yield, physiology and morphological traits in low soil nutrient conditions under high rain-fed conditions.

Published in Agronomy

ISSN: 2073-4395 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy

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