A New Cassava Variety, Sriracha 1

Abstract

The new Cassava variety, ‘Sriracha 1’ previously numbered MKUC 27-3-23 clone, is the cross between MKU 2-162 clone and ‘Rayong 1’ cultivar. Sriracha 1 has been developed through the hybridization scheme and selections at Sriracha Research Station, Kasetsart University, since 1983. It had been tested during 1984-1990 by the KU Root crop Research Project in 31 trials and was tested by Department of Agriculture in 13 trials. The tested areas included 10 leading cassava producing provinces. The outstanding characteristics of Sriracha 1 are as follows : It has similar fresh root yield to Rayong 1, but 4% higher in root starch content, 26 and 14% greater starch yield and dry root yield than Rayong 1 , respectively. These characteristics would enable farmers to get the price of cassava root 0.08 baht/kg more than that of Rayong 1. Additionally, Sriracha 1 gave better root and starch yields than Rayong 3 whereas root starch content was similar. When compared to the newly released Rayong 60, Sriracha 1 yielded lower amount of fresh root but it gave higher starch content of 3%. Consequently, dry toot yield and starch yield of Sriracha 1 was similar to Rayong 60. In addition, varietal stability analyses against environments revealed that Sriracha 1 was more stable in dry root yield and starch content than Rayong 1. when taking dry root yield and root starch content at 3 to 12 months after planting into consideration, Sriracha 1 yielded higher root weight and starch content than those of Rayong 1 and Rayong 60 at all growth stages. Insofar as fertilizer responsiveness was concerned, this study revealed that Sriracha 1 gave higher dry root yield than Rayong 1 and Rayong 60 at all fertilizer rates. Moreover, Sriracha 1 had good germination, tall plant, less branching habit and other botanical traits similar to Rayong 1.