Efecto del arreglo espacial de siembra en el rendimiento de las raices de yuca (Manihot esculenta)

Two trials were conducted at the CIAT expt station in Cali, Colombia, to measure the effect of spatial arrangement at fixed planting densities on cassava root yield. In expt I, 3 cassava cv. of different growth habit were planted at 10,000 plants/ha and arranged in 5 different patterns. Experiment II consisted of 3 different cassava cv. planted at 10,000 and 15,625 plants/ha, both densities arranged in a square and rectangular pattern. F-test and Duncan`s multiple range test showed no significant difference on root yield (P=0.05) due to spatial arrangement within a given density and a given cv. Different cv. yield different and there is an optimum planting density for a given cv. according to its growth habit. Agronomic implications suggegt that wider row spacings may enable easier weed control, allow easier management of mixed crops and leave uncultivated bands between rows to assist in controlling erosion on slopes, without significantly affecting root yield. (AS)