Quantitative Growth Relationships of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz): Crop Development in a Savanna Wet Season

Growth characteristics of Manihot esculenta Crantz cv. Cubanawere determined for a crop, cultivated in savanna soil withfive different levels of fertilizer. A population of 25000 plantsha^–1 was studied using conventional growth analysis techniques. The storage root does not act as a sink for large amouns ofassimilates and differences in growth response were mainly aresult of the morphology development and function of leavesin the cassava canopy (source activity). Thus, during tuberization,the cultivar Cubana produces a progressively higher proportionof new leaves, maintaining throughout the season a relativelyhigh net assimilation rate and leaf area index. Manihot esculenta Crantz, Cassava, source-sink relationship, net assimilation rate, leaf area index, growth analysis