Effects of Red Light and 6-Benzyladenine on Branching and Flowering in Cassava

Abstract

Flowering induction is one of the most important processes in plant breeding. This study aimed to assess cassava flowering response under the induction of red light and/or 6-benzyladenine (BA) with silver thiosulfate (STS). A split-plot in randomized complete block design with four replications was used for this study. The main plot factor was cassava flowering induction, which were (1) control, (2) spraying 0.5 mM BA with 2 mM STS, (3) spraying 0.5 mM BA with 2 mM STS and red light, and (4) red light with a wavelength of 620 nm at night. Sub-plot factor was cassava variety, including ADIRA 4, Huaybong 90, Kasetsart 50, Rayong 9, and TME3. Data of growth and traits, including the first branching height, total height, and the proportion of the first branching height to total height at age 4, 5, and 9 months after planting, were collected. Flowering traits were collected as the number of male flowers per bunch, the number of female flowers per bunch and the number of bunches per plant of cassava at 5, 6, 7, and 9 months after planting. The result showed that the methods of flowering induction did not cause significant differences in the flowering traits. The use of red light and BA resulted in increasing height and branching ratio. However, this change did not affect the flowering traits of cassava.