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After
years of yield trials, high yielding cassava varieties are
now available for local farmers. The National Seed Industry
Council (NSIC) has okayed the commercial release of NSIC Cv
11, popularly known as Lakan 2, NSIC Cv 12 (Lakan 3), and
NSIC Cv 15 (Lakan 4).
Results
of the trials, monitored by PCARRD, showed that Lakan 2, 3
and 4 yield between 28.8 to 30.9 t/ha which is comparable
to the check variety, Lakan 1, which yields 30.0 t/ha. They
are all moderately resistant to thrips, mites, leaf spot,
leaf blight, and bacterial blight.
Lakan
varieties are sweet, with flesh color ranging from cream to
white. They can be grown for all purposes (food, feeds, and
starch). Their high dry matter content (DMC) of 32.5 to 35.9%
makes them ideal for processing into feeds and starch. All
varieties are safe for food consumption due to their low hydrocyanic
acid (HCN) content.
Although
developed in the late 90’s, there is renewed interest
in Lakan varieties brought about by the growing concern for
environment-friendly alternative sources of fuel. According
to Prof. Mariscal, Lakan varieties are well suited for ethanol
production.
Lakan
varieties perform best in Southern Mindanao but can also be
grown throughout the country.
For
planting materials, please contact Prof. Algerico M. Mariscal
of PhilRootcrops-Leyte State University (LSU) at telephone
nos. (053) 335-2616 and the Institute of Plant Breeding, University
of the Philippines Los Baños at (049) 536-2298 or 536-3304
(Maria Adelia C. Belen, S&T Media Service).
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