Ten morphological characteristics and two attributes of root quality were used to quantify the genetic variability among nine cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars adapted to Northwest of State Paraná, Brazil. It was used multivariate analysis based on canonic variables and cluster analysis, making use of Mahalanobis Generalized Distance (D2ii') as measure of genetic dissimilarity. Similar results were provided by cluster analysis, with the formation of the same number groups and, in each group, the same cultivars. IAC 44-82 and Verdinha of group I cultivars and Fécula Branca and Espeto of group III, are indicated to compose inter crossing programs. The characteristics that less contributed to genetic divergence were, hierarchically: root number, stem number, root diameter, starch content and stem diameter.
cassava; Manihot esculenta Crantz; multivariate analysis; genetic dissimilarity
