Agroproductive evaluation of two clones of Manihot esculenta Crantz in Matanzas province

Objective: To evaluate the agroproductive characteristics of two varieties of Manihot esculenta Crantz for their inclusion as animal feedstuff in Matanzas province, Cuba. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted in areas of the Pastures and Forages Research Station Indio Hatuey. Two M. esculenta varieties (INIVIT Y-93-4 and Senorita) were evaluated. A randomized block design was used with three replicas. The height, number of total roots, commercial and non-commercial and number of absorbent hairs per plant, were measured. The comparison was made through sample inference for two independent samples, from a Student's t-test, with significance level of p < 0,05. In addition, correlations and regressions were made to know the interrelation between the variable height and the planting days. Results: No significant differences were found for the variable height between the two varieties (154,4 and 141,8 cm for Senorita and INIVIT Y-93-4, respectively). However, statistical differences were noted in root length and weight (p < 0,001). The variety INIVIT Y-93-4 showed the highest root number and weight. Meanwhile, no differences were found in root diameter (0,38 and 0,39 mm for Senorita and INIVIT Y-93-4, respectively). Both varieties had yields over 15 t ha-1, the variety Senorita standing out with 23 t ha-1. Conclusions: The two varieties were developed and produced under the edaphoclimatic and management conditions conceived for this study. Nevertheless, the variety Senorita showed better performance than INIVIT Y-93-4 in most of the morphoagronomic variables. Keywords: animal feeding, height, Manihot esculenta, yield