Thrips are considered a secondary pest in cassava. Nevertheless, they can reduce yields by up to 28%, especially in the
seasonally dry tropics with rainless periods longer than 3 months (Bellotti 2002). SM 1219-9 and SM 1565-17 had excellent performance for thrips scores at both locations (Table 3). Similarly, clonesSM1657-12,CM6754-8,SM1665-2 and SM 805-15 had a uniform response at both locations, but for a susceptibility reaction. In addition to good GCA effects for fresh-root productivity, clones SM 1565-17 and SM 1219-9 also had the best scores for thrips reaction and good plant architecture (suggested by their negative GCA effects for plant type).