DIVERSITÉ AGROMORPHOLOGIQUE DE MANIHOT ESCULENTA CRANTZ. (EUPHORBIACEAE) CULTIVÉE DANS TROIS ZONES AGROCLIMATIQUES EN RÉPUBLIQUE CENTRAFRICAINE (RCA)

Abstract

Methods.- In the goal to study agro-morphological diversity of cassavas produced by agriculturists of the Central African Republic, 179 accessions had been collected in different agro-climatic zones of the country and grew in a wood park within the forest zone (village Pissa II). 27 describers served to the analysis of the morphological diversity with the help of Community Analysis Package Version 2.15 and Canoco software. Results.- The dendrogram revealed 4 pools relatively little differentiated in relation to the extent of the morphological space between pools. There is not a real structuring between indigenous and introduced accessions. Agromorphological diversity revealed by describers doesn't correlate with the number of varieties characterized according to their vernacular names. 21 varieties high farm yield (≥ 10 Kg) were identified. There is not an interrelationship between the mean number and the middleweight of tubers harvested. Morphological features examination showed less differentiation between pools. The morphological variation range represented in a pool given of varieties is very important. Every pool preserves a big proportion of a potential morphological common. Conclusion.- Therefore, the collection is constituted with shapes and yields diversity which can constitute a good basis of selection for producers and transformers of cassava.