Adeniji, O.T., Okonji, C.J., Adewale, D.B., Badmus, A.A., Adewoyin, O.B., Baiyeri, S.O.,

Iseghohi, I.O., Sabo, E.,Eromosele, G., and Odetoye, F.

ABSTRACT

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a household staple food crop, lacking iron, zinc, vitamin A, hence it is a target for bio-fortification. The presence of phenotypic differences between white- and orange-fleshed cassava storage roots for root yield, root quality and preferences by growers and consumers necessitated this study. Four orange-fleshed and three white-fleshed cassava clones were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block experiment between August and July, during 2015 and 2016. Each genotype was allotted to a plot of 4 m by 5 m. At harvest, the number of storage roots/plant, and non-marketable, and marketable storage root yield (t ha^-1) were measured. Phenotypic variation was present among the cassava clones for root yield and root yield-related traits. Genotype by year interaction (GYI) significantly influenced root length and storage root per plant. IITA-TMS–IBA011412, IITA-TMS-IBA070505, TME-EB-419 performed best for root length. Plant height at secondary bifurcation correlated positively with root/plant and marketable storage root yield/plot. Cultivars with wide pith were characterized by short root length. Heritability was high for marketable storage root yield. ITA-TMS-IBA011412, IITA-TMS-IBA011315 and IITA-TMS-IBA070505 were best for the texture of pounded boiled cassava. IITA-TMS-IBA011371 and TMS 30572 were promising for crispiness of cassava granules. IITA-TMS-IBA070505 and IITA-TMS-IBA011315 were best for flavour, and IITA-TMS-IBA 011412 and TME-EB-419 for flesh of storage root colour. TME-EB-419 was most preferred for cassava granules, starch and pounded boiled cassava. The range of variation for root metric, storage root yield and consumers’ attributes is important for future breeding investigations.