AGRICULTURAL INOCULANTS CORPORATION

“MICROBES AT WORK”

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CULTURAL PRCTICE FOR CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta)

A. Area to be Planted

1. The soil must be friable preferably of sandy loam or sandy clay loam type,
easily drained and a pH of about 6 to 6.5. If the soil is clayey or heavy
incorporate into the soil organic matter e.g. composted rice husk, straw or
hay or even grasses, weeds and leaves to modify the texture.

2. It must be free of nematodes and unwanted pests. If present, the soil must be
fumigated or treated with Furadan, a granular insecticide or any appropriate
nematicide.

3. It must contain adequate amounts of organic matter (5-10%) up to a depth of

40-50 cm.

B. Land Preparation and Planting

1. The soil must be plowed deep preferably using a sub-soiler drawn by a large
tractor to a depth of at least 40 cm.

2. At least a week after plowing it must be harrowed at least twice preferably

with a disc harrow attached to a large tractor so that the clods can be
pulverized. This will also effectively eradicate the weeds.

3. After the land is well-prepared, make the furrows using the furrow opener
drawn by a large tractor at distances of 80 cm apart and at a depth of about
35-40 cm.

4. Apply organic fertilizer on the furrows at the rate of 15 to 20 bags (750 to

1000 kg) per hectare depending on the type of soil and its organic matter
content. Normally, lighter soils with lesser organic matter will be applied
with more organic fertilizer.

5. Lay the cuttings, 25 to 30 cm long and preferably with growths, on the

furrows 25 to 30 cm apart.
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C. Care and Maintenance of the Crop

1. If irrigation is available irrigate the field within a week from planting

especially if the soil is dry or not moist ( at least 30% moisture content). If
the land is rainfed be sure to time the planting 2 or 3 days after the rain.

2. If weeds persist use an animal-drawn plow and pass along the rows at about
15 to 20 cm from the base. This operation is known as off-barring.

3. Thirty (30) days after planting (DAP) side dress the growing crop by placing
5 to 7 grams of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) per plant. This translates to
2.5 to 3.5 bags ( 125 to 175 kg ) per hectare.

4. Start spraying the cassava plants with 0.67% solution (1 liter mixed with 160
liters of water) of foliar fertilizer on the foliage, at 60 DAP and monthly
thereafter up to the 8th month for varieties that mature in 10 months and up to
the 10th month for varieties that are harvested after one year.

5. Side dress the crop at 120 DAP with a mixture of 5 grams of urea (46-0-0)
and 5 grams of ammophos fertilizer (16-20-0) per plant. These translate to
2.5 bags ( 125 kg) of each of the inorganic fertilizers.

6. Cover the applied fertilizers by using an animal-drawn plow and passing

along the furrows. This operation which is known as hilling-up will also
control the growth of weeds.

7. Side dress the crop with 2.5 to 3 grams of muriate of potash (0-0-60) per
plant at 180 DAP for the 10-month varieties and at 240 DAP for the one year
varieties.

Important Notes: a. If necessary, apply the appropriate crop protection

chemicals during the cropping duration. If performed mix the chemical/s during
the foliar application to save on labor cost. Reminder: use only biodegradable
crop protection chemicals.

b. Irrigate the field as deemed necessary.

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“MICROBES AT WORK”

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D. Harvesting and Processing

1. Cassava tubers are either harvested after 10 months or 1 year from planting
depending on the variety.

2. Harvesting can be done manually or with the aid of an animal-drawn plow or

sub-soiler. If accomplished through the latter allow enough space so as not to
cut through or ruin the tubers.

3. The harvested tubers are then brought to the mill and after weighing in a truck
scale they are dumped to the mechanical washer and go through the entire
milling process wherein starch is produced. Normally, the yield of starch is
about 25% based on fresh weight.

4. The tubers can also be processed into chips. After washing and the peelings
removed they are sliced using a chipping machine and then sun dried. A
mechanical drier is also convenient especially during inclement weather.