Abstract
The growth response of TMS 419 cultivar of cassava Manihot esculenta Crantz exposed to simulated acid rain of different pH was studied. The plant was exposed to simulated acid rain of pH 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 (control), respectively. Simulated acid rain induced morphological changes including chlorosis, senescence, necrosis, leaf abscission, leaf folding and death. Plant height, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, relative growth rate, the chlorophyll content of the leaf and the harvest index was highest at pH 7.0 (control) and significantly (p<0.05) decreased with increasing acidity. The result shows that the TMS 419 cultivar of M. esculenta exhibited growth suppression at low pH level.
Key words: Simulated acid rain, Manihot esculenta, senescence, harvest index, leaf abscission.
