Vegetative Reproduction and Root System Development analysis towards flowering and maturation of defined crops in Ghana with Cassava as the focused Crop.

Abstract

Our survival on planet earth is highly dependent on food and water.  Man cannot feed on air and neither drink air for his/her entire life on earth but resort to eating food and drinking water for energy generation in order to achieve daily working demands. Food production and planting using standard procedures hence becomes a necessity to achieve this aim. Crops such as cassava is planted to develop roots, develops leaves, access all the conditions necessary for photosynthesis, grow gradually to flowering stage and finally mature. With this, cassava is obtained to be processed into all kinds of cassava food products like for banku, Gari, fufu, ampesi etc. This has gone on for generation but the current cassava on the market is facing the challenges of being not in good condition all year round to meet food demands in Ghana. During the course of the year, most of the cassava’s are very bad hence unable to meet food demands such as for fufu and ampesi. This is usually the case during a changeover of seasons (from dry season to rainy season). This research work therefore sort to investigate the vegetative reproduction of cassava and analyze the root system development towards flowering and maturity. It will also examine how to obtain good quality sweet consumable cassava that can be used all year round in Ghana to meet various food demands. Research findings indicated that all kinds of cassava varieties exists in Ghana based on purpose and what it’s intended for. Stem cutting is used vegetatively each season for cassava multiplication and production of cassava tubers. The good sweet quality cassava variety (for ampesi) enjoyed in the 1980s and 1990s exist but to a percentage of 20% in the study area. This good sweet soft edible cassava variety (Tekbankye) needs to be worked on, its sticks multiplied for mass production of cassava tubers since it’s comparable to yam. Since its comparable to yam and can be eaten with good stews, its mass production should be propagated. Why comparable to yam is because they all give carbohydrates if possible same calories of energy.