Avaliação do rendimento de farinha no processamento de diferentes cultivares de mandioca (Manihot esculenta crantz) em áreas com e sem irrigação na região Oeste do Pará

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate flour yield during the processing of different cassava cultivars in irrigated and non-irrigated areas in the western region of Pará. The experiment was conducted in Juruti, Pará, at the Farinharia Puxirum facility, using a completely randomized design (CRD) with a split-plot arrangement. Four cultivars were tested three improved by Embrapa and one landrace cultivar: i) BRS 420, ii) BRS Mari, iii) BRS Dourada (table cassava), and iv) Coaraci. Among the sixteen variables analyzed, key metrics included flour productivity, processing yield (an indicator of root starch content), starch content (SC), and flour yield. Processing was carried out in a semi-mechanized flour mill following standardized procedures, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to compare cultivars and management systems. Results indicated that irrigation positively influenced starch accumulation, reducing the amount of root required to produce 1 kg of flour from 5.10 kg to 3.70 kg for the Coaraci cultivar and from 9.40 kg to 7.43 kg for BRS Mari thereby increasing average values compared to non-irrigated areas and resulting in higher flour yields. Among the cultivars evaluated, Coaraci stood out as the most efficient in terms of flour yield under the irrigated regime, showing the best processing ratio (3.7 kg of unpeeled root per 1 kg of flour). BRS 420 also performed similarly, confirming its potential for flour production in the region. BRS Mari showed a positive response to irrigation but yielded lower results compared to the aforementioned cultivars. Finally, BRS Dourada showed equivalent yields but performed poorly in both areas analyzed. In this context, adopting irrigation is an effective strategy for increasing cassava profitability, directly impacting flour yield the primary derivative product in the western region of Pará. Furthermore, selecting the appropriate cultivar is crucial for production success, given that improved varieties from Embrapa offer opportunities for crop diversification and perform well in the region, while the 'Coaraci' landrace cultivar has proven highly competitive in terms of conversion efficiency, underscoring its importance for traditional and family-based farming systems.