Assessing performance of improved cassava genotypes for fresh and dry root yield in the highlands of Papua New Guinea
WeraBoney 1*, PawilngaRobert P.2, RamakrishnaAkkinapally3, KawaleGena1 and DerosMyla1
1) National Agriculture Research Institute, Highlands Regional Centre, P.O. Box 384 Aiyura, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, 2) National Agriculture Research Institute, Momase Regional Centre, P.O. Box 1639 LAE, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, 3) National Agriculture Research Institute, Head Office, P.O. Box 4415 LAE, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea
* , Registrant ID# 5895
Trials were conducted at three different locations in the Aiyura Valley, Papua New Guinea (PNG) from 2011 to 2014. The aim was to evaluate the agronomic performance of nine elite cassava genotypes for fresh and dry root yield and to determine suitable varieties adapted to local conditions. Ten genotypes involving nine elite breeding lines and one released cultivar were used. Data collected include fresh commercial root yield (FCRY), total fresh root yield (TFRY), fresh aerial biomass yield (FABY), dry root yield (DRY), root dry matter content (RDMC), harvest index (HI), mealiness and taste. The result showed significant differences in all characters under study except for RDMC due to genotypic and seasonal variations, but genotype (G) by season/environment (E) interaction were not significant for all characters. This study resulted in identification of six superior and promising genotypes with competitive advantage over the previously released variety, ME 002. The selected genotypes include NME 011-25, NME 007, NME 011-09, NME 004-118, NME 011-21 and NME 005. The overall increments in FCRY and DRY for the promising genotypes range from 18.7 to 41.8 % and 8.6 to 27.9 % respectively as compared to check cultivar. Genotype NME 005 had the highest HI of 0.77 while the others ranged from 0.49-0.66. The six selected genotypes produced relatively high RDMC (≥35 %) and DRY (≥11 t/ha) which are suitable for both fresh consumption and processing. Culinary qualities of the elite genotypes are generally at par or even better than the local variety. The study revealed strong positive correlation between NCRP and FCRY, FCRY and TFRY, TFRY and DRY. Generally, the six promising genotypes identified in this study can safely be recommended for cultivation in Aiyura and other similar environments in the highlands of PNG. It is therefore, critical that these genotypes are further assessed for adaptability, earliness to maturity and nutritional qualities to identify suitable cultivars for specific environments and uses.
Keywords:Cassava, dry matter, evaluation, genotypes, Papua New Guinea, root yield