Quantitative Evaluation of Macro-Nutrient Uptake by Cassava in a Tropical Savanna Climate

Abstract

Matching fertilization with crop needs is important for maximizing yields and reducing fertilizer losses. Seasonal variation in nutrient uptake dynamics is poorly understood and thus, the ability to optimize fertilization strategies is limited. This study aims to investigate the effects of planting dates on macronutrient uptake dynamics in cassava genotypes with full irrigation. The performance of cassava genotypes, i.e., CMR38-125-77, Kasetsart 50 and Rayong 11, were evaluated in the early rainy (ERS) and post rainy seasons (PRS) for two years using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The plants were harvested at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Planting dates had significant effects on the accumulation of dry matter and storage roots as well as nutrient uptakes and partitioning. On average, the total nutrient uptake per plant to produce 2831–3279 g of biomass with 1244–1810 g of storage roots in the ERS varied among cassava genotypes, ranging from 21.1–24.3 g N, 5.1–5.9 g P, 26.5–29.5 g K, 14.1–22.2 g Ca, 6.1–7.6 g Mg and 2.0–2.3 g S. The total nutrient uptake per plant to produce 3353–3824 g of biomass with 1604–2253 g of storage roots in the PRS ranged from 27.1–32.4 g N, 5.2–6.0 g P, 29.1–31.3 g K, 11.9–20.3 g Ca, 7.3–9.9 g Mg and 1.2–1.5 g S. In the ERS, the majority of the total nutrient uptake occurred at the early growth stages, whereas in the PRS, this occurred at the mid- to late growth stages. At final harvest, the percentages of nutrient removal by the storage roots for ERS were 24.7–36.0% N, 26.0–32.3% P, 43.4–51.5% K, 12.4–17.6% Ca, 22.2–31.5% Mg and 27.2–31.5% S, whereas in the PRS the percentages were 30.4–44.4% N, 33.3–41.6% P, 44.7–57.3% K, 12.0–15.1% Ca, 20.2–28.1% Mg and 12.0–25.4% S. CMR38-125-77 exhibited satisfactory performance in nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency and storage roots yield across the planting dates. The evidence obtained from this study would greatly facilitate more efficient adoption of precision agriculture in cassava production by applying recommended fertilizers, e.g., rates, kinds and timings, according to crop demand in each growing season in Thailand and for choosing superior cassava genotypes.

Improved cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) growth and production by application of potassium

“…The results showed that the photoassimilate translocation to the storage roots occurred during 7-9 MAP. This condition was similar to the results that was studied by Janket et al [7]. Under application of 150 kg potassium/ha, root characters as TRN, TSR, RN, DRD, and RL of both clones UJ3 and UJ5 were the same (Table 4).…”

Sulfur-improved manganese fertilization for sweet cassava under an overlimed organic management system

“…Although S is required in lesser amounts compared to other macronutrients, it is essential for many functions in plants, i.e., the formation of chlorophyll and plant proteins (Janket et al, 2021).…”

Meteorological variables, water balance, biomass and nutrients accumulation by cassava intercropped with Crotalaria juncea

“…Howeler (2002), report an extraction of nutrients by cassava roots of 32 kg ha -1 of N and 35 kg ha -1 of K for a yield of 18.3 t ha -1 , which is a production similar to that obtained in this research, but with greater extraction of K, possibly due to fertilization only in planting. In addition, the ability of plants to absorb nutrients from the soil differs between plant species (Byju and Suja, 2020), and these differences may be a result of variations in canopy characteristics, root morphology, and plant growth habits, as well as soil chemical properties, water management, and growing conditions (Barros et al, 2012;Janket et al, 2021).…”

“…Although cassava is one of the main foods of Brazilians, its national production is still below the other countries with higher production. The gap between field yield and potential yield is mainly caused by inadequate crop management, such as planting under inadequate climatic conditions and unbalanced application of nutrients, so it´s necessary to adopt technologies for the proper management of cassava in order to assist farmers with greater precision in planning decisions in cultivation to achieve maximum productivity and quality potential (Janket et al, 2021).…”

“…In addition, assertiveness in plant nutrition depends, among other factors, on knowledge about the nutritional needs of agricultural crops. In dryland cassava planting, most of the nutrients initially accumulate in the leaves and stems and are translocated to the storage roots at the end of the growth cycle (Janket et al, 2021), with K being the nutrient most absorbed by cassava and extracted from the soil by the storage roots (Byju and Suja, 2020;Imas and John, 2013). Although the absorption and distribution of nutrients in rainfed cassava have been previously documented, there is no recent and comprehensive information on nutrient absorption patterns for this crop (Fernandes et al, 2017;Janket et al, 2021), especially in the Brazilian Northeast.…”