Considering the age of the plants under study, at 12 months highest levels of CP, β-carotene, iron, phosphorus, and sulfur were shown. However, the cassava leaf meal (CLM) from the 17-month old plants contained the highest vitamin C, zinc, and calcium levels.
The Maracanã cv. presented the highest levels of vitamin C and copper, whereas the highest levels of zinc and calcium were observed in Ouro do Vale cv., as well as those of magnesium were shown in IAC 289-70 cv. At 12 months, however, the IAC 289-70 cv. showed significant levels of CP, β-carotene, iron, zinc, and sulfur, since it did not statistically differ from the other cultivars with the highest contents of these nutrients.
It was found that CLM from the analyzed cultivars and their respective ages showed high levels of these nutrients, compared with those of other leaves. Though, to recommend the use of the CLM in human diet, further studies concerning the antinutrients should be done.