Age of stem cuttings and its effect on the growth of Manihot spp

Abstract

Preliminary studies involving the age of stem on the growth of Manihot esculentus was carried out at the 
teaching and Research farm of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt during the 2010 and 
2011 farming season. The experiment consisted of full length cuttings of M. esculentus obtained from two 
locations within along precipitation gradients in the state-Ndoni in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local 
Government Area and Abara in Etche Local Government all in Rivers State. The cuttings were divided into 
three pieces of distal, media and apical. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete blocks 
design (RCBD) with three replicate per treatment. Cutting position (source) did not show significant (P< 
0.05) effect on the parameters tested (girth, height and branches of M. esculentus). Cutting at the distal 
position recorded the highest values for the parameters evaluated. Percentage sprouting was high plants 
planted at poultry site ranging from 17.5-30.7% compared to 12-34.5% in plants planted at the back of the 
laboratory. The study suggests that propagation of M. esculentus by cutting at the distal position be 
encourage for enhanced growth performance.