Thesis
Storage root production of cassava is altered in controlled environment through manipulation of photoperiod, light intensity, and humidity
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2012
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101935
Abstract
Interest and development of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has been renewed in recent years because it is a major carbohydrate staple in the tropical areas of the developing world. Post-harvest deterioration is an important issue for research to increase storage possibilities. However, successful methods for cultivating roots for research have proven evasive in the northern temperate climate of Washington State. These studies were conducted to examine influences of changing photoperiods, light intensity, and relative humidity on cassava production in controlled environments of the north. A series of controlled growth chamber treatments were established to compare root yield between 16hr days, 8hr days, changing day lengths, as well as high and low humidity. Cassava plants were also grown in the greenhouse at 4 different seasonal planting dates as an applied study taking into account actual photoperiod changes, light intensity, and humidity differences between seasons. High humidity treatment revealed increased growth and final dry weights both above and below ground. Plants grown in constant long day had significantly more foliar growth than all other treatments, but those growing in long day changing to short had significantly more storage root weight than all other treatments. Plants started in the greenhouse at the spring equinox were larger both above and below ground than in the other seasons, followed by winter, summer, and then fall. Spring is most comparable to the constant long day treatment which concurs for total plant weight. However, the roots were not larger in the summer solstice planting which most closely mirrors the “long-day changing to short-day” treatment. This is most likely a result of significantly lower average light intensity, as well as lower temperature in actual greenhouse conditions. Artificial lighting was used during the naturally low-light winter months, while a shading compound was applied to glass during the summer growth season, which is common in greenhouse production to keep intense heat and solar radiation down. Data from these studies will be used to provide an abundant supply of cassava roots in latitudes outside of their native tropical regions for research purposes.
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Details
- Title
- Storage root production of cassava is altered in controlled environment through manipulation of photoperiod, light intensity, and humidity
- Creators
- Julie Renee Thayer
- Contributors
- John K. Fellman (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Horticulture, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525123901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis