Preharvest management and harvest times of sweet cassava

Abstract

Studies on postharvest handling and pruning practices of cassava grown for consumption consist of varying, often inconsistent, information, thereby being necessary to broaden the available knowledge. Therefore, this work aims to evaluate the management of the aerial part and harvesting times of table cassava in the municipality of Vitória da Conquista, BA. The randomized block design was used, with treatments arranged in a split plot design. Managements (pruning and defoliation) as well as the control were assigned to plots, and two harvest times (8 and 12 months) were assigned to subplots, with 4 replicates. At 212 and 334 days after planting, pruning and defoliation of shoots were carried out; 30 days later, roots were harvested. The 12-month-long cycle was associated with the highest yield (13.18 t ha^-1) and better root conservation (6.98%); however, roots showed higher quality for consumption when harvested earlier (8 months). Pruning 30 days before harvest is a practice that reduces physiological spoilage of roots when compared to plants without shoot management.