Abstract

Profitability of different rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and five potato varieties (Bellete, Gudene, Jalene, Marachere and local check) was investigated in southern Ethiopia to find out rates of the nutrients and varieties that would give acceptable returns and likely to be adopted by smallholder farmers in the locality. Factorial combination of N (0, 55.5 and 111 kg/ha) and P (0, 19.5 and 39 kg/ha) were applied to the main plots while the five varieties were to the sub plots of split-plot design and replicated three times. Both factors had significant effect on tuber yield, but there were no significant interaction effect. Significant treatments of this experiment were, therefore, subjected to economic analysis using partial budget procedure. Economic analysis showed that 0:19.5, 55.5:19.5 and 55.5:39 kg NP/ha and varieties Bellete, Jalene and Marachere were economically superior and stable even within a price variability range of 20% in the locality. In conclusion, application of NP nutrients with the rate of 0:19.5, 55.5:19.5 or 55.5:39 kg/ha for the varieties Bellete, Jalene and Marachere were identified profitable treatments for lucrative production of potato in the study area.

Key words: Dominance analysis, economic analysis, partial budget, smallholder farmers, tuber yield.