Introduction:

Cassava Manihot esculenta (Crantz) is a perennial shrub native to South America that is an essential source of carbohydrates for more than 600 million people in tropical countries.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to describe and compare the leaf blade anatomy of ten genotypes of cassava.

Methods:

The methodology for anatomical descriptions was processed and 30 leaves of each of the varieties were included and sectioned according to paraffin impregnation protocols.

Results:

The results showed that the leaf blade anatomical structure of all the varieties in general terms show differences. All varieties had monostratified epidermis, leaf mesophyll consisted of a palisade parenchyma in a single layer and multiple layers of spongy parenchyma. Polyphenolic idioblasts were observed immersed in the palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma. Between 3-7 xylem ribs with their respective phloem were found in the midrib in almost all varieties. Trichomes were only found in two varieties (NAT31-ECU72) and leaves were all hipostomatic.

Conclusions:

The results reveal that NAT31 is the material with the most anatomically marked differences (i.e. presence of trichomes, papillary cell, and, on the adaxial face, special provision in the arrangement of stomata and epicuticle wax patterns), characteristics that might be related to pest resistance.