Epagri launches cassava cultivars in Santa Catarina

Farmers in Santa Catarina already have access to two new cassava varieties for the next harvest. Epagri launched the SCS 256 Cigana and SCS 257 Petuna cultivars. The manivates were distributed to Producooper, in Jaguaruna, and Coopersertão, in São João do Sul.

The cultivars were developed at the Epagri Experimental Station in Urussanga and at the Jaguaruna Experimental Field. The project was led by researcher Alexsander Luís Moreto. Both are suitable for industrial processing. They can be transformed into flour, cassava starch, tapioca and other quality derivatives.

The SCS 256 Cigana adapts well to the South Coast of Santa Catarina and the Alto Vale do Itajaí. The SCS 257 Petuna is better adapted for the Alto Vale do Itajaí. Both have productive performance above the average of traditional cultivars in these regions. They also have harvest flexibility after one or two vegetative cycles.

According to Moreto, the new varieties have different advantages. They have erect branches, white-fleshed roots and high starch content. They are also easy to shed and tolerate bacteriosis and anthracnose. These characteristics contribute to more efficient and quality production.