Frequency and Period of Stem Wounding Enhances Quality of Cassava-Mycorrhiza Association and Plant Yield

The main problem in cassava production is the low productivity, as often manifested in the limited number of tubers produced. It was expected that wounding treatments at different growth periods, in addition to mycorrhiza inoculation, would also have an effect on cassava production. This study was aimed to determine the effect of stem wounding frequency and period on quality of cassava-mycorrhiza symbiosis and cassava yield. This study was conducted using a single factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of four application methods: (A) no wounding; (B) 1 time wounding before planting; (C) 2 times wounding before and after planting; (D) 3 times wounding before and after planting. Each treatment was repeated three times (12 experimental units in total). The variables observed include (1) percentages of mycorrhiza infections and number of spores, (2) root growth and (3) cassava yield. The results showed that wounding frequency and period were found to be effective in increasing the cassava root surface, as well as increasing the mycorrhiza infection, which resulted in the increase of cassava yield (54.32 tonnes/ha). The wounding frequency of one to three times on cassava gave significant difference compared to control treatment. Three times wounding treatment prior to planting resulted in the highest cassava yield improvement of 54.05%.