Objective:

To evaluate the effect of organic fertilization on morphological and agronomic indicators of two varieties of Manihot esculenta Crantz.

Materials and Methods:

In 2019 a trial was conducted during nine months with two varieties of M. esculenta (INIVIT Y93-4 and Señorita). A randomized block experimental design was applied, with four treatments and three replicas: T1 control-mineral fertilization, T2-fertilization with 700 g/plant of enriched biochar, T3-fertilization with 700 g/plant of compost and T4-fertilization with 350 g of enriched biochar + 350 g of compost/plant. Morphological and agricultural yield variables were measured. Variance analysis and mean comparison through Duncan’s test (p ≤ 0,05) were carried out.

Results:

During the 150 days of study, the morphological variables height and stem diameter, associated to the growth of M. esculenta in the varieties INIVIT Y93-4 and Señorita, did not show significant differences with regards to the control due to the effect of fertilization. The utilization of biochar, enriched or combined with compost, guaranteed between 3 and 4 kg/m2 of M. esculenta yield in the varieties INIVIT Y93-4 and Señorita, without significant differences compared with the chemical fertilization.

Conclusions:

The alternatives of organic fertilization stimulated plant growth during their vegetative phase and guaranteed M. esculenta yields, comparable with chemical fertilization in the varieties INIVIT Y93-4 and Señorita.

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