ABSTRACT

The effects of auxins and cytokinins at different concentrations rations on the growth and yield parameters of three genotypes of cassava were investigated. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with three replications and genotypes consisted of TME 419, CR 41-10 and UMUCASS 36. The treatments used were auxins (α- naphthalene acetic acid at 0, 0.01 and 0.02mm ) and cytokinins (6-benzyladenine at 0, 0.02 and 0.05mm). The growth regulators were medially applied to the cutting and allowed to dry for 30minutes before planting. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance using GenSTAT statistical tool. The result of the experiment showed that the plant growth regulators has significant increase for tuberization of cassava plant but showed no significant effect on the growth parameters at 3month after planting. The result revealed that increase in the concentration of auxins have positive effect on the yield parameter but cytokinin showed negative effect with increase in the concentration. Treatments with 0.02mM auxins induced the greatest increase in root weight, biomass and root number of M. esculenta, thereby suggesting that auxins at 0.02mM concentration could thus be used to enhance tuberization of cassava plant.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - - - i

Certification - - - - - - - - - - ii

Declaration - - - - - - - - - - iii

Dedication - - - - - - - - - - iv

Acknowledgements - - - - - - - - - v

Table of contents - - - - - - - - - vi

List of Tables - - - - - - - - - viii

List of Figures - - - - - - - - - ix

Abstract - - - - - - - - - - x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION - - - - - - 1

1.1 Justification of Study - - - - - - - 4

1.2 Objectives of the study - - - - - - - 4

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW - - - - - 5

2.1 Botanical Description of Cassava - - - - - - 5

2.2 Evolution, Domestication and Distribution of Cassava - - - 7

2.3 Ecology and Agronomy of Cassava - - - - - - 9

2.4 Botanical characteristics of cassava - - - - - - 11

2.5 Role in the modern economy - - - - - - - 12

2.6 Cassava production in Nigeria - - - - - - 13

2.7 Cassava Uses - - - - - - - - - 14

2.8 Growth Responses - - - - - - - - 15

2.8.1 Auxins - - - - - - - - - 15

2.8.2 Cytokinins - - - - - - - - - 17

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS - - - - 18

3.1 Experimental site, Climate and Soil composition - - - - 18

3.2 Plant Growth Regulators Experiment - - - - - 18

3.2.1   Experimental design and Intercultural operations  - - - - 18

3.2.2 Planting materials and the treatment - - - - - - 18

3.3 Data collection - - - - - - - - 21

3.4 Data analysis - - - - - - - - - 23

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS - - - - - - - 24

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION - - - - 29

5.1 Discussion - - - - - - - - 29

5.1.1 The Effect of NAA and BA Concentration on growth parameters - 29

5.1.2 Effects of auxin and cytokinin on tuberization of cassava - - 29

5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - 31

References - - - - - - - - - 32

Appendice - - - - - - - - 39