RESUMO
New techniques of rapid multiplication of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) have been developed, requiring technical support for large-scale use. This work main to evaluate the agronomic performance of plantlets obtained by leaf buds technique against stem cuttings in the field conditions. The work was conducted using the randomized block design in a factorial scheme with 3 varieties (BRS Kiriris, 98150-06, 9624-09) × 4 origins of the plantlets (conventional - stem cuttings of 20 cm length, leaf buds of the upper, middle and inferior stem part) × 2 agrochemicals (control and treated). There was a remarkable decrease in some agronomic traits that ranged from 23% (number of branches) to 62% (shoot weight) when using leaf buds plantlets. The treatment of plantlets with agrochemicals promoted significant increases in all traits, ranging from 26% (number of roots per plant) to 46% (shoot weight). The plantlets originating from leaf buds of the upper and middle parts were able to generate stem-like plants similar to stem-derived ones. Despite its lower agronomic performance under field conditions, multiplication by leaf buds may generate five times the number of propagules in comparison with the conventional multiplication, and therefore it could be a viable alternative for rapid cassava multiplication.