Evaluation and selection of cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz)clones from National Seed Plan of INIA-Venezuela. Preliminary results

The National Seed Plan was implemented to ensure food sovereignty and security in 2004 in charge of National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA)-Venezuela. Within this Plan, the plant breeding program has been carried out, whose objective was to obtain new genetic combinations using different schemes of crossing and selection and evaluation of genotypes in different environments. In 2006, a program of selection of cultivars was established, both for use as parents for free and directed crosses and for use commercial per se. Regional trials were conducted in Anzoategui, Aragua y Barinas and fresh root yield (kg/ha), dry matter and starch were evaluated. In the case of Anzoategui, clones had the highest yields were: SM 909-25 (44,163), Cacho e venado (37,971), Paiguanera (33,096), IM220 (31,867), IM225 (31,533). In Aragua, best clones were Llavitera (37,023), IM-225 (26,833), Vara de Arpon (23,750), SM-909-25 (23,583) and Sardina (21,667) and for Barinas, the best were: IM- 225 (50,033), INIA-2000 (40,657), Venezuela-7 (34,600), CM 6740-7 (24,464), IM-220 (22,000). In relation to dry matter and starch, clones with the highest values for Anzoategui were: CM 3306-4 (37 and 35%, respectively), Vara de Arpon (34 and 32%, respectively), Sardina (33 and 31%, respectively), SM-2000 and INIA 909-25 (32 and 30%, respectively). In the case of Barinas, all clones exceeded the required value by agribusiness, clones with the highest percentages: CM-3306-4 (48 and 45%, respectively), IM-220 and INIA-2000 (44 and 42%, respectively).