Properties of cassava roots and extracted starches are variable and governed by a number of factors including variety, growth conditions and conditions at harvest.
Our previous studies, which ensured sufficient plant growth in the early development
phase, have demonstrated the influence of environmental conditions on starch quality. The conditions immediately before harvesting the root are important and the effects are demonstrated in all the cassava varieties tested.
This study sought to further identify the significance of environmental conditions, especially during early plant growth, on starch properties.
It is obvious that environmental conditions during both the initial and late growth
stages are crucial to root and starch quality.
Properties respond to initial and late water stress differently.
For the properties examined in this and our previous work, six scenarios are evident; each is based on the response to growth conditions and are summarized in Table 6 and Fig.3.