Abstract:
The development of cassava genotypes with root system traits that increase soil
resource acquisition could increase yields on infertile soils but there are relatively
few work that has quantified cassava root system architecture (RSA). We used
an easily adaptable and inexpensive protocol to: (i) measure genotypic variation
for RSA and shoot traits of a range of cassava genotypes; and (ii) identify
candidate variables that contribute the largest share of variance. Cassava
genotypes were grown in soil-filled pots, maintained at 70% field capacity. Shoot
and RSA traits were measured on plants grown up to 30, 45 and 60 days.
Multivariate analysis was used to determine major traits contributing to variation.The study showed that cassava roots are adventitious in origin consisting of a main
root axis and orders of lateral roots, and therefore the historically used term “fibrous
roots” are redundant currently not contributing to clarity. There were significant
differences (P < 0.05) for traits evaluated. The highest relative root growth rate
occurred over the first 30 days and ranged from 0.39 to 0.48 cm day 1. Root
fresh weight was significantly correlated with other traits, including root length
(r ¼ 0.79), leaf area (r ¼ 0.72), number of lower nodal roots (r ¼ 0.60),
indicating that direct selection based on these traits might be sufficient to
improve root biomass. Up to the first six principal components explained over
80% of the total variation among the genotypes for the traits measured at 30, 45
and 60 days. Leaf area, root diameter and branching density-related traits were
the most important traits contributing to variation. Selection of cassava genotypes
based on shoot and root biomass, root diameter and branching density at juvenile
growth stage could be successful predictors of nutrient and water-use efficiency
in the field. Further studies are required to relate studied juvenile cassava root
traits with the performance of field-grown-mature plant with regard to drought,
nutrient-use efficiency and yield.
