Inadequate supply of improved cassava propagating materials is a major constraint in cassava production. Cassava has a low multiplication ratio (1:10). Low multiplication ratio of cassava can be overcome using rapid multiplication techniques, like tissue culture and minstem cuttings propagation though with a lot of limitations. The use of macro stems to overcome the problem of low multiplication ratio is a sure alternative. This work appraised the effect of plant density and poultry manure rates on rapid multiplication of a cassava propagule during the late cropping season. Propagules were multiplied in the late cropping season to meet the demand of cassava stems during the early cropping season. Agronomic packages such as; manuring the soil and using adequate plant density to obtain optimum plant population in the field were used to improve rapid multiplication of cassava propagule. This book sheds some light on rapid multiplication of cassava propagule and is very useful to agronomists, horticulturists, breeders, extension agents and farmers who may want to multiply and distribute improved cassava stems.

A major problem facing cassava production is availability of virus free stem cuttings, which are used for propagation. Research was conducted with various culture media to achieve rapid propagation of disease-free cassava (cv. Chilena) from shoot tip and nodal cuttings. Shoot tip cuttings produced roots and grew vigorously as single shoots when cultured on half strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 $mu$M indole butyric acid (IBA). The medium was designated Australian maintenance medium (AMM). Cultures from shoot tip explants on AMM were maintained for a period of 6 weeks. Half strength MS supplemented with 1.0 $mu$M 6-benzylamino purine (BAP) + 0.25 $mu$M naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) designated Australian proliferation medium (APM) was ideal for nodal cuttings which produced callus, multiple shoots, but no roots. Multiple shoot formation increased with APM double phase medium (liquid medium overlaying a solid portion in a culture vessel (LIMO)). Double phase of AMM and APM medium in reciprocal combinations showed that shoot tip explants formed roots and grew as single shoots when AMM was the solid phase. In contrast, nodal cuttings or shoot tips placed in APM solid phase developed callus with few roots. When explants were cultured for 3 weeks in a double phase medium, with 0.05 $mu$M gibberellic acid (GA$sb3$) in LIMO and AMM solid phase, taller (3 cm), single shoots with $>$3.5 roots per explant were produced, while with APM and GA$sb3$ cultures were shorter, multiple shoots but without roots. Double phase medium of either AMM or APM with GA$sb3$ in the LIMO, induced $>$5 dissectable nodes vs 2 nodes with single phase AMM or APM + GA$sb3$. A shoot tip explant, placed on AMM medium with GA$sb3$ in LIMO, produced 5.5 compared to 3.8 nodes when placed on AMM solid phase with 0.1 $mu$M BAP + 0.25 $mu$M NAA in LIMO. Nodal cuttings cultured in double phase media with GA$sb3$ in LIMO produced more shoots, leaves and dissectable nodes than when BAP + NAA or IBA were in LIMO, and APM as solid phase. This response was enhanced by shaking nodal cuttings in an APM solution for 2 or 6 days prior to culturing.

Cassava is a major tropical tuber crop found throughout the tropics (India, Oceania, Africa and Latin America). Hitherto, there has been no single text covering all aspects of cassava biology, production and utilization. This book fills that gap, representing the first comprehensive research level overview of this main staple crop. Chapters are written by leading experts in this field from all continents. The book is suitable for those working and researching in cassava, in both developed and developing countries, as well as advanced students.

Most crop specialists agree that the use of good quality seed is the quickest way to increase crop production and productivity. (the term 'seed' is used to detone true botanical seed, tubers, roots, or other plant parts. Since root and tuber crops are almost exclusively multiplied by vegetative propagation, this is the meaning of seed commonly used in this publication.) Without good seed, the impact of other inpust on yield, such as festilizar and soil preparation, will not be as economical. IN additon, good see can be adapted to small as well as large farm, and it is responsive even under less favorable climatic conditions.