Effects of spatial arrangement on tuber yields of some potato cultivars.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in 1995 and 1996 to determine optimum spacing for potato cultivars Awash, Menagesha and Tolcha that differ in canopy morphology. There were significant varietal and spacing effects on seed tuber size, average tuber weight (ATW) and number (ATN) per square metre. Highest yields of 38.5, 62.6 and 46.5 t ha-1 were obtained for Awash, Menagesha and Tolcha, respectively, from a 45 cm between-row spacing with either 25 or 30 cm in-row spacing. However, in Menagesha tuber size exceeding 40 mm constituted >80% of the total yield thus showing the need for a narrower in-row distance for seed size tuber production. In-row spacing regulated tuber size more than yield. Varieties showed different requirements for spacing for the development of optimum leaf area and maximum tuber number and yield.


Key Words: Awash, canopy morphology, Ethiopia, Menagesha, Solanum tuberosum, spacing, Tolcha


(African Crop Science Journal 2001 9(1): 67-76)