Cassava: Plant improved varieties for maximum production, expert advises
Farming
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko. 08039440128
Ibadan, March 23, 2018 (NAN) Dr Alfred Dixon, Project Director, Cassava Weed Management, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, on Friday urged cassava farmers to always plant improved varieties as they are high yielding and more resistant to disease.
Dixon gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to him, no fewer than 46 improved cassava varieties have been released into Nigeria, out of which six are bio-fortified yellow varieties.
The Project Coordinator said that farmers could contact the IITA, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia or the nearest Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Office in their area, for these varieties.
Dixon, who is an agronomist, advised cassava farmers to always plant at a spacing of 1 m x 0.8 m (12,500 stands per ha) for root production, while closer spacing (1 m x 0.5 m) could be used for stem production.
“Farmers should always keep to the correct spacing as it helps in controlling weeds and gives optimum yield.
“Cassava stems should be planted or inserted in the ground vertically, at an angle of 45 per cent; farmers should ensure the nodes of the cutting are turned upwards, to enable fast sprouting of the stems.
“Always ensure moisture availability, at least for the first two to three months after planting,” he said.
Dixon said that weeds were among the major constraints to cassava production and for farmers to be successful, they must control weeds.
On some of the ways to control weeds, he said, “Weed control can be done manually, mechanically, culturally or chemically by the use of herbicides.
“Herbicides assist in weed control but they need to be handled with care so they don’t harm the environment, plants and applicators.
“Don’t eat, drink or smoke during spraying of herbicides, wear appropriate protective equipment, people without protective equipment should stay away.
“Spray in the direction of the wind, spray only when the wind is not strong and when there is no indication of rain.
“Always maintain the sprayer nozzles to ensure optimum performance before application, read the label on herbicides to know the correct dosage; moreover, herbicides should be applied by only trained personnel.”
He said that farmers should use only herbicides approved by NAFDAC and always destroy or bury empty containers of herbicides properly in the farm, far away from water points.
“After spraying, don’t wash the sprayer in nearby stream or places of water supply; wash sprayers in the farms and do not use the empty containers to convey water, oil or salt, just dispose them appropriately.
“Also, always bath, change and wash your clothes after spraying, before eating,” Dixon advised. (NAN)
CC/VIV/PIO
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(Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Idonije Obakhedo)