African Journal of
Plant Science

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Plant Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0824
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPS
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 804

Article in Press

Response of Improved and Local Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cultivars to Nitrogen Fertilizer at Haramaya, Eastern Ethiopia

Hailu Duguma Muleta, Nigussie Dechassa and Jemal Abdulahi

  •  Received: 05 May 2018
  •  Accepted: 02 January 2019
A field experiment was conducted on a research field of Haramaya University during the 2012 main cropping season to determine the relative agronomic and tuber quality performances of potato varieties in response to nitrogen (N) application. The treatments consisted of four N rates (0, 55, 110 and 165 kg N ha-1), and two improved (Bubu and Zemen) and three local (Batte, Daddafa and Jarso) varieties. The experiment was laid out as RCBD with a factorial arrangement and replicated three times. Plot size was 4.5 m x 3.6 m (16.2 m2) accommodating six rows of plants at the spacing of 75 cm between ridges and 30 cm between plants. Net plot area was 3 m x 3 m (9 m2). The results revealed that increasing the rate of N from 0 to 55 kg N ha-1 significantly increased most of the measured parameters. However, increasing N beyond this level did not affect most of the parameters. Variety also significantly influenced many parameters. The interaction effects of N and variety were not significant on all parameters. Positively and highly significant associations were found for a number of the measured parameters. In conclusion, the results revealed that the optimum performances of all varieties occurred at the N rate of 55 kg N ha-1. In addition, improved variety Bubu, followed by Zemen, was superior to the other varieties in terms of tuber productivity.

Keywords: Varieties, Yield, Nitrogen Level, Growth.