Abstract

The low utilization rate of improved cassava planting materials in Tanzania is attributed to the traditional propagation method, which has a low seed multiplication rate of 1:10 cuttings. New propagation technologies, such as tissue culture, produce many disease-free cassava-planting materials within a short period. However, the production efficiency of these technologies depends on the shootlet size, the health of the mother plants, and the regeneration method used. The nutrient content, surface area for regeneration, stress tolerance, and response to multiplication signals all influence shootlet size during multiplication.
Aim
This study assessed the effects of shootlet size on cassava seed multiplication during the 2022/2023 growing season.
Methods
Five cassava shootlet sizes of 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 cm long were laid out in a completely randomized design experiment with three replications. Data on ratooning frequency, number of shootlets and roots, root length, and shootlet survival rate were collected and analysed using the R program.
Results
Large-sized shootlets (≥ 12 cm) had significantly higher performance than smaller ones. Although high ratooning frequency produced numerous small shootlets (

Key words: Cassava, seed multiplication, seed production, shootlets size, Tanzania