Impact of planting techniques and cutting sizes on cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) sprouting and subsequent vegetative growth in various nursery environments

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a perennial woody shrub, mainly propagated via stem cuttings. Propagation methods and growth environment have been reported to affect sprouting and vegetative growth significantly. This study aimed to examine the effect of planting methods and cutting sizes on cassava's sprouting and subsequent vegetative growth. The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Institute-Tumbi Centre Tanzania. The cassava varieties used were TARICASS2, TARICASS3, TARICASS4, TARICASS5, Kiroba, Kizimbani, Mkumba, and Mwasunga. They differed significantly on the days they first sprouted. Days to 50% first sprouting was observed three days after transplanting in the low tunnel from Mkumba, Kizimbani, Mwasunga, and TARICAS5, compared to six days in the open field nursery. The early sprouting from the low tunnel may be attributed to its high relative humidity (86.5%) and soil temperature (37.4 OC). Cuttings with four nodes had the highest number of sprouts compared to cuttings with two nodes for horizontal planting. Therefore, horizontal planting should be adopted in low tunnels to ensure a massive multiplication of planting materials.