Study on Planting Season of Cassava

Abstract

Cassava can be planted throughout the year in Thailand. Therefore, three independent experiments were conducted at Sriracha Research Station, Cholburi, during 1983-84, to find out the suitable planting season. Two experiments were planted in dry season in November and February. For rainy season, another experiments was planted in May. Each planting season consisted of 10 plots. The plot size was 5 x 212 m² and the harvested areas was 3 x 10 m². Data were subjected to the t-test. It was found that planting in November resulted in the greatest dry matter yield followed by planting in February and May, respectively. Favorable period for cassava root yield accumulation was in rainy season. Planting in rainy season gave lower yield since it lost 1-2 months of favorable period after planting for vegetative growth instead of root yield production. This was confirmed by lower number of leaves in rainy season and harvest index for May planting. For ease of hand weed control, less soil erosion and, importantly, greater root dry matter yield, planting cassava in November (beginning of dry season) is recommended.