The effect of tillage depth and micro-fertilizer addition on the growth and production of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) planted in early dry season

The climate change from the dry season to the rainy season, causes cassava to rot a lot when harvested, this research was conducted in the early dry season by practicing two tillage depths to handle the excessive water around the rooting area, and by addition of micro-fertilizer. This study aimed to determine the cassava growth and yield when planted at the early dry season, combined with tillage depth and micro-fertilizer addition. This research was conducted in South Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia. The cutting stems of cassava were planted in the early dry season (May) and harvested in April 2020. The tillage depth consisted of two depths: shallow tillage, above hardpan layer (30 cm), and deep tillage, including hardpan layer (60 cm). Micro-fertilizers were applied with two dosages: without fertilizer (0 kg ha⁻¹) and with fertilizer (40 kg ha⁻¹). Those treatments were arranged factorially (2x2) in Strip Plot Design with three replications. The result showed that deep tillage caused the rotten tubers only 15 tubers compared with the shallow tillage which was 39 tubers. The treatment of micro-fertilizer (40 kg ha⁻¹) on the contrary increased the rotten tubers up to 35 tubers. In general, deep tillage could increase the dry weight of tubers, and micro-fertilizers could increase the fresh weight of tubers.