Physiological and Morphological Responses of Cassava Genotypes to Fertilization Regimes in Chromi-Haplic Acrisols Soils

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors carried out a study aiming to assess the interaction of fertilization regimes and variety on radiation use efficiency, light interception, yield and yield components of cassava.

All sections of the manuscript are clear and consistent with each other. Only in the "Materials and methods" section I suggest adding more information on how the doses of N, P and K and lime have been calculated, depending on the soil type.

Authors must correct the numerous typos in the text.

Control of measurement units is required, in accordance with the SI system.

Author Response

See attached Response to reviewer form attatched

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors, 

the paper is interesting expecially for the importance of improving agronomical techniques in the Zambia and so increasing yields. By the way it needs to be correct where I marked the text and at the same time you need to read and check accurately the whole text because in some part the English is not really clear. Also try to make the text more fluent and easy to read without loosing the scientific aspects.

I need to know also if in the second year you use the same plots with new fertilisation? In this case the results could be better for the addition of new amount of fertilisers to the previous one.

After these revisions it should be suitable for publications

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

The response to comments raised are the attached form. More details are included in the revised Manuscript.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

The introductory part of a manuscript should be reorganized. Some parts are repeated without a required impact on the content.

What was the real objective of the study, taking into account the fertilization regime of the tested three cassava cultivars?

Both stem and root yields were significantly depended on the interaction of a year with the soil fertility level., i.e. fertilization treatments.

The stepwise regression procedure should be used to define the set of factors, affecting yields of stems and of roots.

Discussion is too descriptive instead of being explanative. There are discussed too many secondary traits, instead of basic ones, directly relating to the really defined objectives.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please kindly find attached the review report for attention.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

A manuscript has been corrected and can be published in the present form. 

Author Response

thanks