Lampung is the primary cassava producing region in Indonesia, yet the province regularly experiences prolonged dry periods. This study examines drought tolerance for varietal selection prior to distribution, assessing the potential impact of drought (two or more months of <100mm rainfall) on root yield, starch yield and content in five selected varieties. Trial design comprised a 0.1ha plot of each variety (no replication) with sub-plots of staggered planting dates to impose dry periods at different growth stages. Results found no varietal difference in root yields in the absence of a dry period. However, root yields were reduced between 14.88t/ha and 20.11t/ha with exposure to a dry period. CMR30-56-1 was ranked the most drought tolerant and Adira 4 the least drought tolerant. Starch yields were reduced by 50 per cent when subject to a dry period and yield reductions increased with length of the dry period. Dry conditions between the third and eighth month after planting had the greatest impact on yield suggesting that rain during this period is critical for root bulking. Effects on starch content were also assessed as starch content is a price determinant for fresh cassava. Dry periods reduced starch content, but to a lesser extent, one to three months before harvest.

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