ABSTRACT

 Twenty five bitter (high cyanide) cassava varieties (TMS 96/0523, TMS 99/3073, TMS 96/1632, TMS 96/2226, TMS 97/4763, TMS 98/2101, TMS 99/2123, TMS 96/1569, TMS 97/0211, TMS 98/0581, TMS 97/4779, TMS 91/02324, TMS '"98/0068, TMS 94/0039, TMS 96/1642, TMS 95/0379, TMS 96/0603, TMS 30572, TMS 92/0067, TMS 98/0002, TMS 95/0166, TMS 94/0026, TMS 94/0561, TMS 97/3200, TMS 96/1317) and thirteen sweet (low cyanide) cassava varieties (TMS 97/4769, TMS 82/0058, TMS 4(2)1425, TMS 92/0326, TMS 92/0057, TMS 98/0510, TMS '"98/0028, TMS 92'70068, TMS 92/0325, TMS 98/0040, TMS 99/6012, TME 419, TMS 98/0505) were evaluated lor growth and yield in Umudike, southeastern Nigeria in 2004/2005 growing season. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Result showed that maximum and minimum air temperature for the experimental site were adequate 32°C and 22°C respectively for 2004 and 32°C and 25°C respectively, for 2005. The total rainfall for 2004 and 2005 were 1911.4 and 2064.8mm respectively and were enough for the cassava production. High cyanide cassava TMS 99/2123, TMS 98/0581, TMS 97/4779 produced tallest plants while TMS 99/3073, TMS 95/0379, TMS 30572, TMS 92/0067, TMS 98/0002 and TMS 95/0166 produced shortest plants. For low cyanide cassava, TMS 97/6012 and TME 419 produced significantly (P<0.05) the tallest plants while TMS 97/0325 and TMS 4(2) 1425 gave shortest plants. Tuber yield in the high cyanide cassava was significantly higher in TMS 99/2123 than others except TMS 96/1642, TMS "’98/0068 and TMS 94/3200. The number of tubers per plant was significantly higher in TMS 96/1642, TMS '"98/0068 while tuber weight was markedly higher in TMS 94/0039 compared to other varieties. The number of tubers per plant and tuber yield did not statistically vary among the low cyanide cassava but TMS 98/0505 gave significantly higher tuber weight than the rest of low cyanide cassava cultivars.