The effect of orientation of cassava cuttings on root geometry and on the force needed for manual harvest

Abstract

Most studies on methods of planting cassava cuttings have focussed on the effect on tuber yield. Studies on root geometry have been done mostly with a view to mechanizing the harvest. The present study relates to the angle at which the cuttings were planted and the resulting geometry of the roots to the force needed for the manual harvest. Compared with planting cuttings obliquely, planting vertically resulted in a more symmetrical horizontal distribution of the roots and more vertically oriented roots at the tip of the cutting; also, more force was needed to loosen the plants (175 kg f compared with 106 kg f).