Abstract

Genetic diversity as tool to identify standard leaf nutrients in cassava genotypes

Among the factors affecting cassava yield, the leaf nutrients content has received little attention since cassava genotypes may grow well under inappropriate nutrient supply, however showing inadequate nutritional quality of tuberous roots. Considering this aspect, the genetic diversity should be explored in order to determine standard leaf nutrients in cassava genotypes. Thus, this study aimed at verifying leaf nutrient content (NC) as well as relationships among leaf nutrients (NR) in order to establish standard leaf nutrient level in twelve cassava genotypes. The experiment was performed during 2014/2015 crop seasons in northern region of Espírito Santo State, Brazil. A total of 24 samples were collected from each cassava genotype for quantification of leaf nutrient contents (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and B). UPGMA method for quantifying genetic diversity as well as Scott-Knott for grouping averages were used. Our results reported low genetic diversity for both NC and NR, corroborating with grouping Scott-Knott test. Therefore, our leaf nutrients content values can represent an adequate nutritional status of cassava genotypes, which can be used as reference values for such specie

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