Cassava Crop management

1. Weeding

• Weed competition reduces canopy development and root bulking.
•  Hand weeding is effective on small farms, therefore hand weeding is common among small-scale cassava farmers and weed at 3, 8, and 12 weeks after planting.

2. Fertilization

Cultivation of cassava is widespread due to its ability to grow in poor soils.

In traditional farming, without fertilizers, farmers can obtain yields of 5-6 t/ha on soils that would not support other crops. However, for good growth and yields, cassava requires a balanced amount of plant nutrients. Recommendation is 300 kg (NPK)/ha, and 20 to 30 t/ha of organic manure.

3. Multiple cropping

• Intercropping suppress weed infestation, reduce soil temperature, retain higher soil moisture, and produce more organic matter than sole cropping or simple mixtures.
• Nutrient loss from erosion in complex mixtures is less than in sole cropping. Cassava is often intercropped with maize, beans and groundnuts.