Variability assessment and identification of early cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) genotypes.

Thirteen early maturing cassava genotypes were evaluated along with M4, a high yielding variety at College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, India. All the fourteen genotypes differed with respect to quantitative and qualitative trait. Variability was more for aerial parts. Genotypes showed variable response to cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava leaf spot. Three genotypes were resistant to CMD. Tuber yield had strong correlation with stem girth, tuber length, biomass and dry matter. Plant height, branch height and stem girth exhibited high heritability. Based on the biometric traits, genotypes could be grouped in to five clusters. High yielding varieties and local accessions fall in to the same cluster indicating the superiority of local accessions. Ranking of the accessions was done by construction of selection index indicated that CSV COH 1 a local accession collected from Malappuram district was the best followed by Sree Jaya a high yielding variety.