Economic Analysis and Response of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to Different Tillage Practices in Coastal Plain Soil of Akwa Ibom
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Abstract
Background: Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is economically significant because it serves as both a staple food and a major source of income, driving food security, rural employment, and industrial growth in many tropical countries. Its production varies with different agronomic practices.
Aims: The experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of tillage practices on growth and yield of cassava.
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Akwa Ibom State University, Teaching and Research farm. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design, replicated three times. Treatments were three tillage practices: ridges, mounds, and flat. Growth and yield data were collected and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) Significant means were tested at 5% probability level.
Result: The results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in all growth data, except for leaf area and plant height at 6 and 8 months after planting (MAP). Leaf area recorded in the ridge treatment at 6 MAP was 231.33 and 241.29 cm2 in 2024 and 2025 cropping seasons, while the corresponding mean leaf area of 223.35 and 221.15 cm2 was recorded at 8MAP. In mound treatment, 233.31 and 240.56 cm2 were recorded in both cropping seasons, while at 8MAP, 223.30 and 220.01 cm2 were recorded. In both cropping seasons, the leaf area observed in flat treatment, at 6 MAP, were 221.15 and 201.81 cm2, while the leaf area declined to 184.63 and 198.13 cm2 at 8MAP. The results of tillage practices showed no significant difference (p>0.05) on storage root yields. Ridge treatment had 28.90 and 28.73 ton/ha storage root yield. Mound treatment produced 28.75 and 28.64 ton/ha of storage root yield. Cassava grown on flat tillage produced 28.03 and 28.11 ton/ha of storage root yield in both cropping seasons. Cost of production and economic returns to management showed that flat tillage, which had least cost of production, resulted to higher economic returns to management.
Conclusion: The result showed that flat tillage which received less farm input and resources should be adopted by cassava farmers as higher economic return to management was recorded on flat tillage among other treatments.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ikopima Uwemedimo Thomas, Ofonime Raphael Akata, Patrick Ibanga Udounang, Fidel Ekanikpong Ben







