Abstract

This experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating physiological and agronomic characteristics of cassava genotypes in the municipality of Cândido Sales, State of Bahia, Brazil, between October 2010 and August 2012. Complete randomized block design was used, with three replications and 28 treatments formed by genotypes Amansa Burro, Aramaris, Bom Jardim, Bromadeira, Caipira, Caitité, Caravela, Kiriris, Lagoão, Lavra Velha, Malacacheta, Mulatinha, Parazinha, Peru, Poti Branca, Salangor, Sergipe, Sergipe, Simbé, Tapioqueira, Tussuma, Verdinha, 2006-4, 2006-5, 2006-8, 2006-10 and 2006-12, coming from UESB, EMBRAPA and farmers in the region. Sergipe genotype is present in two treatments, one planted with cuttings collected from local farmers only called Sergipe, and another called Sergipe MR planted with cuttings originated from the rapid multiplication method. The crop spacing used was 1.0 x 0.6 m and each plot composed by 60 plants, being 26 plants considered useful. The evaluations were performed at the end of the first crop cycle, in July 2011, and the harvest in August 2012, twenty-two months after planting. The higher total leaf area and the high photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by the plants canopy at the end of the first crop cycle were correlated to an increase of productivity of shoot and dry weight of root. There was no change in leaf water potential among the genotypes. The genotypes Caipira, Poti Branca, Verdinha and Sergipe from cuttings obtained by the rapid multiplication method showed high productivity for tuberous roots associated to a higher dry matter values. A greater starch yield was observed in genotypes 2006-5, Verdinha, Malacacheta, Poti Branca, Caipira, 2006-10, Sergipe MR, Parazinha and Mulatinha, thus, they might be future alternatives for regional cultivation for industrial production.

Key words: Manihot esculenta Crantz, water potential, leaf area, varieties, tuberous root, starch.