Production and quality of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) organically and chemically fertilized and intercropped with sapodilla

cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) produced in an intercropping system with sapodilla. Design/methodology/approach: A cassava crop was established in Veracruz, Mexico, under a completely randomized block design in split-plot arrangements. The large plot corresponded to sapodilla densities (156 and 312 trees/ha), and the small plot to mineral and organic fertilization and a control. The variables measured were: total plant height, aerial and root biomass, number of roots per plant, external and internal root color, average root diameter and length. Additionally, starch content was estimated by the specific gravity method. Results: The results show that at low density, better-quality cassavas are obtained, and average yields of 13 roots/plant with an average total weight of 2.914 kg and a starch content of 29.58%. On the other hand, organic and mineral fertilization showed similar behaviors with the exception of root diameter, luminosity, internal hue angle and starch content, where organic fertilization showed values of 34.49 mm, 85.67, 87.36° and 29.71%, respectively. Limitations on study/implications: The results obtained can be applied in tropical regions with vertisol soils with a sandy crumb texture with dark color, pH of 6.5 and good surface drainage; they also serve as a basis for further exploring these production systems. Findings/conclusions: It is concluded that planting density and nutrition influence the quality and yield characteristics of cassava.