Productivity and drought tolerance of cassava cultivars
in the Coastal Tablelands of Northeastern Brazil
ABSTRACT
Ten cassava cultivars were grown in the field and
evaluated to identify the most adapted to the Coastal Tablelands
of northeast Brazil. The cultivars showed differences in proline
and chlorophyll contents, plant height, number of leaves and
branches, canopy area and root production, however they did not
differ on photosynthetic rates. Cultivars ‘Tianguá’ and ‘9783-13’
presented lower root yield, whereas ‘BRS Tapioqueira’ and ‘Irará’
had the highest root yield. Few leaves coupled with the highest
water use efficiency for CO2 assimilation was found in ‘BRS
Kiriris’ in contrast to ‘BRS Jarina’ and ‘9783-13’. ‘BRS Caipira’
had high proline content in both Umbaúba and Frei Paulo areas,
traits usually associated to drought tolerance, that contribute to
the adaptation. It is also important to consider that cultivar ‘BRS
Caipira’ was the first to present increase in chlorophyll content
after extended period of drought, that indicates a faster recovery
after dry season. Furthermore, the results indicated that the most
adapted cultivars for cultivation in this area are ‘Irará’, ‘BRS
Tapioqueira’, ‘BRS Kiriris’ and ‘BRS Caipira’.