Abstract

NUNEZ RAMOS, Pedro Antonio et al. Effect of fertilizer application methods on the yield and profitability of the bold cassava crop (Manihot esculenta Crantz). RIIARn [online]. 2024, vol.11, n.3, pp.16-25. ISSN 2409-1618.  https://doi.org/10.53287/ppbm1317xq98j.

Cassava is one of the main crops in the Dominican Republic. The northern region of the country has fertile land and favorable environmental conditions for cassava production; however, it produces on average 19 to 22 tons per hectare, a figure below that of experimental studies in the same region. Therefore, it is a priority to develop its productive potential. The study aimed to find out the best way to apply fertilizers to obtain higher quality (length and diameter) and yield. The experiment was conducted at the Sabaneta Experimental Station, IDIAF La Vega. A randomized complete block experimental design was used with four blocks and six treatments: absolute control (T1), NPK granulated fertilizer (T2), foliar salt fertilizer (T3), amino acid foliar fertilizer (T4), soluble fertilizer in drench (T5) and NPK granulated fertilizer injected into the soil (T6). The variables evaluated were yield, plant height, stem diameter, cost/benefit ratio, number of roots/plants, root weight/plant, commercial diameter/plant and root length. An analysis of variance by variable and a comparison of Duncan means at 5 %, as well as a coefficient of variation, were performed. The greatest cassava root length was obtained with T4 and T6 with 22.87 and 24.05 cm, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between them, but higher than the others. Treatments T6, T5 and T1 were statistically equal with root diameters of 5.31, 5.19 and 5.15 cm, respectively, higher than the others. The highest yield was obtained with T5 with 18 800 kg ha-1 of fresh cassava, being lower than the average values of the crop. The highest marginal return rate with 87.28 % was obtained with treatment T5. This indicates that soluble fertilization in drench represents the best alternative evaluated for the conditions of the study.

Keywords : drench; foliar; granular; Manihot esculenta; NPK; potential; soil.

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