1. Cassava

2. Crop management Planting pattern ….. The plant spacing. referring to planting density and spatial distribution. Response significantly to plant density. The crop is very flexible when come to spatial distribution of plant in the field.

3. Planting pattern e.g. affects yield when plant density range from 5,000 to 15,000 per unit land area. However, e.g. at 10,000 planting density spatial arrangement bet. 1 x 1, 2x 0.5, 2 x 1, 2x 2 m not affecting tuber yields. Therefore, spatial arrangements is the most important criteria to satisfy specific prod. Sys.

4. Intercropping Cassava with other crops Has been practiced for generations in some countries. Small land area. To provide enough basic dietary elements; carbohydrates and protein. Supplementary incomes. Increase yields.

5. Cassava-oil palm

6. Advantages of intercropping cassava with other crops as a biological weed control Reduce soil erosion maximize use of growth resource e.g. cassava-legumes are highly compatible improve total crop productivity reduce disease severity.

7. Fertilizer requirement Cassava is always associated as crop of poor soil. Poor soil without fertilizer 5-6 t/ha Good soil, tuber yield can increase to 40- 60 t/ha.

8. Fertilizer requirement …. cont Cassava req. high amt. of N and K. However, excessive N fertilization causes excessive leaf formation, reduce harvest index (HI) Reduce starch tuber increase HCN content in tubers.

9. Fertilizer requirement …. cont N rate Depend on sole crop or mixed cropping Sole crop: 50 kg N/ha Mixed cropping: 150 kg N/ha

10. Fertilizer requirement …. cont The higher the yield (tubers), the higher the K is extracted from the soil. Modest amount of P is required for root growth In Malaysia (Acidic soils): 112 kg N/ha, 156 kg P 2 O 5 /ha and 187 kg K 2 O/ha

11. Common pests and diseases Pests i. Green mites, Tetranychus urticae Control: plant resistant ii. Whitefly, Aleurodicus sp. and Bemisia sp. transmit mosaic virus

12. Common pests and diseases Diseases Root rot, Phytophthora spp., Sclerotium spp, Fusarium spp., Pythium spp Control: resistant variety

13. Harvest Commonly harvested 18 mo after planting

14. Any questions

15. Thank you