Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field

Astride Stephanie Mouafi Djabou; Carel Verlaine Ekanga; Beaulys Fotso; Celeste Melvis Vilanculos Cossa

doi:doi:10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11

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| Peer-Reviewed

Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field

Astride Stephanie Mouafi Djabou^*

, Carel Verlaine Ekanga

, Beaulys Fotso

, Celeste Melvis Vilanculos Cossa

Published in Plant (Volume 14, Issue 2)

Received: 28 March 2026 Accepted: 16 April 2026 Published: 24 April 2026

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Abstract

Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) plays a crucial role in global food security, serving as a staple crop for nearly one billion people worldwide. Despite its importance, cassava production remains suboptimal, largely due to inefficient use of stem cuttings by farmers. Producing seedlings through mini-cuttings offers a promising method to optimize stem utilization and accelerate cassava multiplication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of substrate and fertilization on cassava seedlings production from mini-set cuttings taken from various parts of the stem, and to assess their performance in the field. A factorial experiment was conducted using three stem parts (upper, middle, and lower) from three cassava genotypes (LMR, I010040-27, and 8034). These were combined with three substrate types (soil/sawdust, soil/sawdust/poultry manure, and soil/sawdust/NPK) in a completely randomized block design with three replications to produce seedlings in propagators. Subsequently, the field performance of the seedlings from each stem part was monitored. Results revealed that all stem sections across the genotypes were capable of regenerating seedlings in the tested substrates. The most effective substrate for rapid and vigorous seedling regeneration was a mix of soil, sawdust, and poultry manure, especially when using cuttings from the middle stem section. Cuttings from the upper stem section produced the lowest seedling regeneration rates across all genotypes. In field conditions, plants derived from the middle stem cuttings of the I010040-27 variety produced the highest number of tubers and the longest tuber lengths per plant compared to other genotypes. These findings are highly valuable for promoting the adoption of mini-cuttings as efficient planting material, thereby contributing to optimized and intensified cassava production.

Published in	Plant (Volume 14, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11
Page(s)	33-41
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cassava, Growth, Stem Part, Substrate, Fertilization, Variety, Yield

1. Introduction

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is recognized as the world's second most important source of starch

[1]

. It serves as a vital crop for numerous agro-industrial applications globally. Beyond its industrial value, cassava plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, especially in sub-Saharan Africa

[2]

. Its storage roots can be harvested year-round, providing a continuous food supply for smallholder farmers and an ongoing source of raw materials for processing industries

[3]

. In Cameroon, cassava production reached an estimated 5.34 million tonnes in 2023, cementing its position as a staple crop

[4]

. Despite its economic significance, cassava cultivation faces several challenges, including increasing pest pressures, shortage of healthy planting materials, and a low multiplication rate

[5]

. Addressing these constraints by producing disease-free planting material in sufficient quantity and quality remains essential to boosting cassava productivity

[6]

Traditionally, cassava is propagated through stem cuttings containing 6 to 10 nodes, typically up to 30 cm in length

[7]

. However, farmers often discard the lower and upper parts of the stem when selecting planting material. Additionally, successive propagation cycles cause cassava stem cuttings to accumulate pathogens, which negatively affects root yield, reduces the quantity of viable cuttings, and diminishes their vigor

[8]

. Furthermore, cassava stems lose vitality if stored longer than 90 days. Research shows that traditional multiplication produces approximately 24,000 stems per hectare, yielding 30 tonnes of tubers per hectare. In contrast, using the mini-cutting technique can yield up to 60,000 stems per hectare, with a corresponding increase in tuber yield to 80 tonnes per hectare

[9]

. Consequently, cassava yields can be significantly enhanced through improvements in plant formation, genotype selection, crop management, and the use of high-yielding stem cuttings

[10, 11]

Therefore, optimizing the use of cassava stems and their multiplication rate via appropriate substrates and rigorous field evaluation is imperative. This study focuses on assessing the impact of various substrates on cassava seedling production using mini-set cuttings from different stem parts and evaluating their subsequent performance in the field.

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Overview of the Experimental Site

The experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Annex of Bafia, University of Dschang, Cameroon, situated at 4°45′ North latitude and 11°14′ East longitude. This location lies within a transitional zone between equatorial and savannah climates, experiencing an average annual temperature of 24.9°C and approximately 1,455 mm of rainfall per year. The soil in the area is predominantly sandy loam. Key chemical and physical properties of the soil are detailed in Table 1

[12]

Table 1. Soil basic chemical and physical properties of the experimental.

Soil property	Value	Soil property	Value
pH (H₂O)	5.53	Potassium (meq/100g)	1.14
pH KCl	4.7	Sodium (meq/100g)	0.07
Clay%	28.06	Calcium (meq/100g)	1.94
Sand%	54.36	Magnesium (meq/100g)	0.71
Silt%	13.16	Organic matter (%)	3.77
Total nitrogen (%)	0.06	Cationic exchange capacity (meq/100g)	11.95
Phosphorus (mg/kg)	26.02	Saturation%	27.96

2.2. Plant Material

The plant material consisted of mini-set stem cuttings taken from three distinct sections lower, middle, and upper of three cassava genotypes: 8034, Local Manihot Red (LMR), and I010040-27. These stem cuttings were sourced from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Genotype 8034 is a white-fleshed cassava known for its adaptability across diverse agroecological zones, resistance to diseases, and suitability for processing into gari, starch, and flour. The LMR genotype, also white-fleshed, is widely cultivated in Cameroon's Centre Region, highly valued by local communities, and thrives under a broad range of environmental conditions. Meanwhile, genotype I010040-27 features yellow flesh and is predominantly used for industrial processing.

2.3. Substrates and Experimental Design in the Propagator

Three substrates soil/sawdust (1: 1), soil/sawdust/poultry manure, and soil/sawdust/NPK were used to fill propagators for seedling production from mini-cuttings containing two to three nodes, taken from different parts of the cassava stem. Poultry manure was applied at a rate of 30 t/ha, while NPK fertilizer was applied at 150 t/ha, following the recommendations of

[13]

. Before planting, the cuttings were treated with a fungicide-insecticide mixture composed of copper oxide (Nordox 75WG) and imidacloprid (MAMIRA) and then sown horizontally. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design using a split-plot scheme: the main plots represented the different stem sections, while the subplots were assigned to the various substrates. Each treatment included three replications, with thirty stem sections per replication, totaling ninety mini-cuttings per stem part per treatment.

2.4. Evaluation of Vegetative Growth in Propagator

Thirty days after planting, key growth parameters were carefully assessed to gauge seedling development. These measurements included the average seedling height, stem diameter and the number of leaves. Such comprehensive evaluation provided valuable insights into the vigor and health of the young plants. Following this initial assessment, the seedlings were moved to a greenhouse where they underwent a two-week acclimation period to gradually adjust to controlled environmental conditions. After two weeks of acclimatization, the seedlings were successfully transplanted to open field conditions for further growth and monitoring, ensuring optimal establishment and continued development.

2.5. Field Planting and Assessment of Agronomic Performance of the Three Sections

The field experiment was conducted using Fisher’s complete randomized block design, involving nine treatments derived from different stem sections of three cassava genotypes. The study area was divided into three blocks, each containing nine plots, totaling twenty-seven plots. Each plot measured 20 m² with a plant spacing of 1 m by 1 m, resulting in a planting density of 10,000 plants per hectare. There was a 0.5 m space between plants within plots, and a 1 m gap separated the blocks to prevent interference. Each plot consisted of 20 plants. Manual weeding was carried out regularly throughout the growing season, while no pesticides or fertilizers were applied to maintain natural growing conditions. Harvesting was conducted manually at 10 months after planting (MAP). From each plot, ten plants were randomly selected to serve as samples for yield evaluation. The cassava roots were handled with great care to minimize mechanical damage during harvest and processing. Key yield parameters recorded included average storage root length (cm), diameter (cm), weight (g), and the average number of roots per plant. For accuracy, root length and diameter measurements were taken from three roots per plant. This thorough evaluation offered insight into the performance and productivity of the genotypes and stem cutting sections under field conditions.

3. Results

3.1. Response of Cassava Stem Sections on Seedling Regeneration in Propagators

Table 2 presents the percentage of shoots regeneration in different substrates at one month. Results showed that all stem sections across the genotypes could regenerate seedlings in the tested substrates. The regeneration rate ranged from 16.66% to 83.33% for 8034, 44.44% to 86.11% for LMR and 61.11% to 94.44% for I010040-27. The highest percentage of regeneration was recorded with the middle part of I010040-27 in the substrate T1. However, the lowest percentage of regeneration was recorded with upper part of 8034 in the substrate T0. The aspect of shoots regenerated is presented in Figure 1.

Table 2. Effect of substrate and stem sections on the percentage of regeneration in the propagator at two weeks.

Varieties	Stem sections	Regeneration rate (%)
Varieties	Stem sections	T0	T1	T2
8034	Upper	16.66 ± 0.28	38.88 ± 0.27	50 ± 0.57
	Lower	63.88 ± 1	69.44 ± 0.40	66.66 ± 0.46
	Middle	52.77 ± 0.50	83.33 ± 0.45	66.66 ± 0.46
LMR	Upper	47.22 ± 0.45	80.55 ± 0.39	44.44 ± 4.44
	Lower	44.44 ± 0.22	86.11 ± 0.47	55.55 ± 0.36
	Middle	80.55 ± 0.54	86.11 ± 0.47	83.33 ± 0.63
I010040-27	Upper	61.11 ± 0.37	66.66 ±0.59	72.22 ± 0.34
	Lower	63.88 ± 0.27	77.77 ± 0.39	80.33 ± 0.43
	Middle	69.44 ± 0	94.44 ± 0.43	88.88 ± 0.45

T0=50% soil + 50% Sawdust, T1=50% soil + 50%Sawdust + 30t/ha Poultry manure, T2=50% soil + 50% Sawdust + 150t/ha NPK.

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Figure 1. Plant regeneration in propagator from different stem sections and genotypes at one month.

3.2. Effect of Cassava Stem Cutting Section on Growth Variables in Propagators

The analysis of growth variables measured after one month in the propagator is presented in Table 3. The results revealed that seedlings originating from the middle stem section produced the highest number of leaves, followed closely by those from the lower section, regardless of genotype. Overall, substrate type influenced leaf production across the different cassava varieties; however, the effect of substrate on leaf number within each stem section was minimal, as similar results were observed across substrates (Table 3). Notably, the LMR variety consistently exhibited the greatest number of leaves across all substrates, with the middle stem section outperforming the upper and lower sections, highlighting the varying responses of different genotypes under identical conditions. Stem section significantly affected plant growth parameters such as height and root development. The LMR variety showed superior plant height across all stem sections and substrates, whereas varieties 8034 and I010040-27 generally exhibited shorter plants, particularly from the upper and middle stem sections. Similarly, root number were influenced by stem section; Contrastingly, the greatest collar diameter was observed in plants derived from the upper stem section of the I010040-27 genotype, while the smallest collar diameter appeared in plants from the middle stem section of genotype 8034.

During acclimatization, plants from middle and lower stem cuttings exhibited better overall performance, with significantly lower mortality rates compared to those from the upper stem section. The highest acclimatization losses were recorded in the upper cuttings, with 22.22% and 19.44% mortality observed in genotypes 8034 and I010040-27, respectively. These findings underscore the influence of stem section on seedling vigor and survival during early growth stages.

Table 3. Effect of variety, substrate and stem section on cassava seedling growth parameter in the propagator at one month.

Treatments	Number of leaves	Height (cm)	collar diameter (cm)	Number of roots	Number of internodes
Varieties	Number of leaves	Height (cm)	collar diameter (cm)	Number of roots	Number of internodes
8034	5.57±1.54c	16.02±2.39b	3.50±0.63c	12.55±3.58c	8.43±2.45c
LMR	9.06±1.41a	24.19±1.31a	4.45±0.86a	23.40±5.33a	12.59±2.18a
I010040-27	6.68±1.34b	15.83±1.98b	4.16±0.74b	17.26±3.91b	9.27±1.86b
LSD (0.05)	2.2e-16	2.2e-16	2.2e-16	2.2e-16	2.2e-16
Substrates
T0	6.38±2.25c	17.65±4.46c	4.08±0.86a	18.53±6.72a	10.82±2.59a
T1	7.64±1.55a	19.78±4.21a	3.93±0.88b	17.95±6.42a	9.71±2.47b
T2	7.28±2.04b	18.61±4.14b	4.10±0.79a	16.67±5.26a	9.73±3.21b
LSD (0.05)	1.566e-15	2.587e-09	0.01	0.11	0.009
Stem section
Upper	6.74±2.19b	17.13±4.70c	3.82±0.79b	16.06±5.34b	9.84±2.67b
Middle	7.34±2.11a	19.06±4.74b	4.17±0.85a	20.38±6.92a	10.78±2.57a
Lower	7.22±1.74a	19.86±2.92a	4.11±0.86a	16.67±5.31b	9.63±3.08b
LSD (0.05)	0.0004	8.88e-16	2.11e-07	1.37e-06	0.01

T0=50% soil + 50% Sawdust, T1=50% soil + 50%Sawdust + 30t/ha Poultry manure, T2=50% soil + 50% Sawdust + 150t/ha NPK. For each treatment and at each parameter, the means ± standard deviations following by the same letter are not significantly different at 5% threshold

3.3. Effect of Cassava Stem Section on Yield Parameters in the Field

The yield variables evaluated at 10 months after planting are summarized in Figure 2. Overall, the average number of tubers varied significantly depending on both the genotype and the stem section used for propagation. Among the genotypes, plants from I010040-27 consistently outperformed others across all stem sections, exhibiting the highest tuber counts, with the greatest number of tubers occurring from cuttings taken from the middle section of the stem. In contrast, genotype 8034 showed no statistically significant differences in tuber number or average tuber diameter among the different stem sections. However, plants propagated from the middle stem section produced tubers with greater length compared to those from the upper and lower sections. For both 8034 and I010040-27, tubers from the lower stem cuttings generally displayed larger size, with significantly greater length and diameter, except in the case of the LMR genotype. When examining tuber weight, the heaviest tubers were harvested from plants grown from the lower stem section of I010040-27, emphasizing the superior productivity associated with this part of the stem. Conversely, the lowest average tuber weight was observed in plants derived from the middle stem section of 8034. These variations highlight the considerable influence of both genotype and stem section on cassava tuber yield traits. Figure 3 visually presents the tuber characteristics at harvest, depicting the variation in tuber size and appearance according to stem section and genotype. This detailed assessment of yield components underscores the importance of selecting appropriate genotypes and stem sections to maximize cassava production, guiding future propagation and cultivation strategies for enhanced food security and industrial use.

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Figure 2. Yield variables assessed at 9 months after planting from the different cassava sections and genotypes in the field.

For each parameter, the means of histograms bearing the same letter are not significantly different at 5% threshold.

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Figure 3. Tuber aspect at harvest in the field from the different cassava sections and genotypes. Bar = 10 cm.

4. Discussion

This study investigated cassava regeneration using stem cuttings from different sections of genotypes LMR, 8034, and I010040-27 in a propagator, followed by a field evaluation of seedling performance. The results showed that mini-cuttings from various stem segments positively respond to regeneration, indicating that all parts of the cassava stem can serve as propagation material. Stem cutting from various stem sections were planted horizontally. Notably, horizontal planted cuttings exhibited a higher sprouting rate than those planted vertically as reported by

[14]

. However, thinner stems from the upper section have limited food reserves, restricting their ability to support sprout development and early growth

[15]

. In fact, these thin stems contain less moisture and nutrients, producing weaker sprouts and fewer, smaller tuberous roots

[15]

. Notably,

[16]

found a significantly higher regeneration rate from mini-cuttings than conventional cuttings, potentially due to the increased rigidity of certain stem sections.

Seedling vigor was assessed by measuring leaf number, height, and collar diameter after one month in the propagator, with attention to substrate type, genotype, and stem cutting position. Among the genotypes, LMR exhibited the most robust growth, with the highest leaf count (9.06 ± 1.41), highest plant height (24.19 ± 1.31 cm), and largest collar diameter (4.45 ± 0.86 mm). Genotypes 8034 and I010040-27 showed no significant difference in leaf number and height. The best seedling growth was achieved in a substrate composed of white sawdust enriched with poultry manure and NPK, emphasizing the pivotal role of substrate composition in seedling regeneration. Furthermore, mini-set cuttings from the lower and middle stem sections performed better than those from the upper section, underscoring the importance of stem section age in cassava growth, as supported by

[17]

Yield analysis also showed that genotype significantly influence cassava storage root production. As established in previous studies

[18-20]

, genotype is a major factor in determining root yield. In the present study, stem origin did not affect tuber number per plant in genotypes I010040-27 and LMR. However, the lower stem section of genotype 8034 produced more tubers than the other sections. These findings are controversial to those observed by

[21]

and

[22]

who reported high roots yield from the middle stem section while

[17]

found the highest fresh root yield in the upper stem section.

Seedlings were first established in a propagator and later transplanted to the field, a method recommended by

[23]

to improve cassava yield. Significant variation was observed in average tuber weight among genotypes and stem cutting sections. For the yellow flesh genotype I010040-27, the largest and heaviest tubers were obtained from the lower stem section, while in genotypes 8034 and LMR, the upper and middle stem sections produced superior tuber weight and length, respectively. The strong field performance of the yellow flesh genotype I010040-27 has been previously reported

[19, 20]

. Key growth and yield parameters, as noted by

[24]

are critical for maximizing cassava tuber yield. Additionally,

[25]

identified a negative correlation between tuber yield and plant height, demonstrating that excessive vegetative growth can limit tuber formation as assimilates are preferentially partitioned toward vegetative development rather than tuber formation and bulking. Strategically choosing middle/lower mini-cuttings from elite lines like LMR or I010040-27 paired with optimized substrates can increase propagation speed and productivity. In this case, LMR may be prioritize for rapid establishment and I010040-27 for good tuber traits. However, it should be noted that tubers were harvested after nine months, slightly earlier than the optimal ten months

[26]

, so the yield observed may not reflect the crop's full potential. While this study focused on quantitative yield parameters, qualitative traits such as starch content, dry matter, and cyanogenic potential were not assessed due to time and resource constraints. Future research will address these limitations and further investigate the influence of different stem sections on cassava storage root quality.

5. Conclusion

This study demonstrates that substrate composition, mini-set stem cutting section, and genotype significantly influence cassava seedling establishment and yield. All the three stem sections (upper, middle, and lower) successfully produced seedlings in the propagator, with the LMR genotype showing the highest establishment rate. Notably, middle and lower sections outperformed the upper section in regeneration. Yield analysis further revealed genotypic differences, with I010040-27 yielding the highest tuber number, weight, and diameter. These results underscore the value of selecting middle/lower stem cuttings from high-performing genotypes like LMR or I010040-27, paired with optimized substrates, to boost propagation efficiency and yields in the study area. Futures studies may focus on comparative trials across others regions, qualitative analysis of the tubers derived from this different stem section and economic modelling of mini-set versus traditional methods.

Abbreviations

LMR	Local Manihot Red
IITA	International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
N	Nitrogen
P	Phosphorous
K	Potassium

Author Contributions

Astride Stephanie Mouafi Djabou: Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing – original draft

Carel Verlaine Ekanga: Formal Analysis, Methodology

Beaulys Fotso: Data curation, Writing – review & editing

Celeste Melvis Vilanculos Cossa: Data curation, Writing – review & editing

Funding

The authors does not received any funding for this work.

Data Availability Statement

The data is available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

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[26]	Oliveira, E. C., Strapasson, E., Valle, T. L., Miglioranza, E., Almeida, L. H. C., Biz, G., and Prado J. R. Influence of harvest time in accumulation of biomass between cassava cultivars. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 2015, 10(51): 675-4680. https://doi.org/10.4314/as.v21i1.7

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Djabou, A. S. M., Ekanga, C. V., Fotso, B., Cossa, C. M. V. (2026). Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field. Plant, 14(2), 33-41. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11

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ACS Style

Djabou, A. S. M.; Ekanga, C. V.; Fotso, B.; Cossa, C. M. V. Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field. Plant. 2026, 14(2), 33-41. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11

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AMA Style

Djabou ASM, Ekanga CV, Fotso B, Cossa CMV. Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field. Plant. 2026;14(2):33-41. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11

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@article{10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11,
  author = {Astride Stephanie Mouafi Djabou and Carel Verlaine Ekanga and Beaulys Fotso and Celeste Melvis Vilanculos Cossa},
  title = {Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field},
  journal = {Plant},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {33-41},
  doi = {10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.plant.20261402.11},
  abstract = {Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) plays a crucial role in global food security, serving as a staple crop for nearly one billion people worldwide. Despite its importance, cassava production remains suboptimal, largely due to inefficient use of stem cuttings by farmers. Producing seedlings through mini-cuttings offers a promising method to optimize stem utilization and accelerate cassava multiplication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of substrate and fertilization on cassava seedlings production from mini-set cuttings taken from various parts of the stem, and to assess their performance in the field. A factorial experiment was conducted using three stem parts (upper, middle, and lower) from three cassava genotypes (LMR, I010040-27, and 8034). These were combined with three substrate types (soil/sawdust, soil/sawdust/poultry manure, and soil/sawdust/NPK) in a completely randomized block design with three replications to produce seedlings in propagators. Subsequently, the field performance of the seedlings from each stem part was monitored. Results revealed that all stem sections across the genotypes were capable of regenerating seedlings in the tested substrates. The most effective substrate for rapid and vigorous seedling regeneration was a mix of soil, sawdust, and poultry manure, especially when using cuttings from the middle stem section. Cuttings from the upper stem section produced the lowest seedling regeneration rates across all genotypes. In field conditions, plants derived from the middle stem cuttings of the I010040-27 variety produced the highest number of tubers and the longest tuber lengths per plant compared to other genotypes. These findings are highly valuable for promoting the adoption of mini-cuttings as efficient planting material, thereby contributing to optimized and intensified cassava production.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field
AU  - Astride Stephanie Mouafi Djabou
AU  - Carel Verlaine Ekanga
AU  - Beaulys Fotso
AU  - Celeste Melvis Vilanculos Cossa
Y1  - 2026/04/24
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11
T2  - Plant
JF  - Plant
JO  - Plant
SP  - 33
EP  - 41
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0677
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11
AB  - Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) plays a crucial role in global food security, serving as a staple crop for nearly one billion people worldwide. Despite its importance, cassava production remains suboptimal, largely due to inefficient use of stem cuttings by farmers. Producing seedlings through mini-cuttings offers a promising method to optimize stem utilization and accelerate cassava multiplication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of substrate and fertilization on cassava seedlings production from mini-set cuttings taken from various parts of the stem, and to assess their performance in the field. A factorial experiment was conducted using three stem parts (upper, middle, and lower) from three cassava genotypes (LMR, I010040-27, and 8034). These were combined with three substrate types (soil/sawdust, soil/sawdust/poultry manure, and soil/sawdust/NPK) in a completely randomized block design with three replications to produce seedlings in propagators. Subsequently, the field performance of the seedlings from each stem part was monitored. Results revealed that all stem sections across the genotypes were capable of regenerating seedlings in the tested substrates. The most effective substrate for rapid and vigorous seedling regeneration was a mix of soil, sawdust, and poultry manure, especially when using cuttings from the middle stem section. Cuttings from the upper stem section produced the lowest seedling regeneration rates across all genotypes. In field conditions, plants derived from the middle stem cuttings of the I010040-27 variety produced the highest number of tubers and the longest tuber lengths per plant compared to other genotypes. These findings are highly valuable for promoting the adoption of mini-cuttings as efficient planting material, thereby contributing to optimized and intensified cassava production.
VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Astride Stephanie Mouafi Djabou

Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences – Bafia Annex, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9215-3239
Carel Verlaine Ekanga

Plant Production Division, Bertoua Agricultural Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Bertoua, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-9520-1928
Beaulys Fotso

Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences – Bafia Annex, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-1428-7863
Celeste Melvis Vilanculos Cossa

Agricultural and Natural Resources Department, Agricultural and Research Institute of Mozambique, Maputo, Mozambique

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-8076-4978

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Djabou, A. S. M., Ekanga, C. V., Fotso, B., Cossa, C. M. V. (2026). Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field. Plant, 14(2), 33-41. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11

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ACS Style

Djabou, A. S. M.; Ekanga, C. V.; Fotso, B.; Cossa, C. M. V. Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field. Plant. 2026, 14(2), 33-41. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11

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AMA Style

Djabou ASM, Ekanga CV, Fotso B, Cossa CMV. Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field. Plant. 2026;14(2):33-41. doi: 10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11

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@article{10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11,
  author = {Astride Stephanie Mouafi Djabou and Carel Verlaine Ekanga and Beaulys Fotso and Celeste Melvis Vilanculos Cossa},
  title = {Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field},
  journal = {Plant},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {33-41},
  doi = {10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.plant.20261402.11},
  abstract = {Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) plays a crucial role in global food security, serving as a staple crop for nearly one billion people worldwide. Despite its importance, cassava production remains suboptimal, largely due to inefficient use of stem cuttings by farmers. Producing seedlings through mini-cuttings offers a promising method to optimize stem utilization and accelerate cassava multiplication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of substrate and fertilization on cassava seedlings production from mini-set cuttings taken from various parts of the stem, and to assess their performance in the field. A factorial experiment was conducted using three stem parts (upper, middle, and lower) from three cassava genotypes (LMR, I010040-27, and 8034). These were combined with three substrate types (soil/sawdust, soil/sawdust/poultry manure, and soil/sawdust/NPK) in a completely randomized block design with three replications to produce seedlings in propagators. Subsequently, the field performance of the seedlings from each stem part was monitored. Results revealed that all stem sections across the genotypes were capable of regenerating seedlings in the tested substrates. The most effective substrate for rapid and vigorous seedling regeneration was a mix of soil, sawdust, and poultry manure, especially when using cuttings from the middle stem section. Cuttings from the upper stem section produced the lowest seedling regeneration rates across all genotypes. In field conditions, plants derived from the middle stem cuttings of the I010040-27 variety produced the highest number of tubers and the longest tuber lengths per plant compared to other genotypes. These findings are highly valuable for promoting the adoption of mini-cuttings as efficient planting material, thereby contributing to optimized and intensified cassava production.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Effect of Stem Cutting Sections, Substrate and Fertilization on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Seedlings Production and Analysis of Yield Performance in the Field
AU  - Astride Stephanie Mouafi Djabou
AU  - Carel Verlaine Ekanga
AU  - Beaulys Fotso
AU  - Celeste Melvis Vilanculos Cossa
Y1  - 2026/04/24
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11
T2  - Plant
JF  - Plant
JO  - Plant
SP  - 33
EP  - 41
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0677
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.plant.20261402.11
AB  - Cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) plays a crucial role in global food security, serving as a staple crop for nearly one billion people worldwide. Despite its importance, cassava production remains suboptimal, largely due to inefficient use of stem cuttings by farmers. Producing seedlings through mini-cuttings offers a promising method to optimize stem utilization and accelerate cassava multiplication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of substrate and fertilization on cassava seedlings production from mini-set cuttings taken from various parts of the stem, and to assess their performance in the field. A factorial experiment was conducted using three stem parts (upper, middle, and lower) from three cassava genotypes (LMR, I010040-27, and 8034). These were combined with three substrate types (soil/sawdust, soil/sawdust/poultry manure, and soil/sawdust/NPK) in a completely randomized block design with three replications to produce seedlings in propagators. Subsequently, the field performance of the seedlings from each stem part was monitored. Results revealed that all stem sections across the genotypes were capable of regenerating seedlings in the tested substrates. The most effective substrate for rapid and vigorous seedling regeneration was a mix of soil, sawdust, and poultry manure, especially when using cuttings from the middle stem section. Cuttings from the upper stem section produced the lowest seedling regeneration rates across all genotypes. In field conditions, plants derived from the middle stem cuttings of the I010040-27 variety produced the highest number of tubers and the longest tuber lengths per plant compared to other genotypes. These findings are highly valuable for promoting the adoption of mini-cuttings as efficient planting material, thereby contributing to optimized and intensified cassava production.
VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

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