The effect of number of nodes per cutting and potassium fertilizer on the growth, yield and yield components of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas Poir)

Abstract

The effects of number of nodes per cutting (3,5 and 7) and different levels of potassium fertilizer application (0, 60 and 120 kg K/ha) on the growth, yield and yield components of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Poir) cultivar ITS 2 were investigated on Toji series soils which fall within the coastal savanna acrisols. Many of the characters measured increased with increase in node number up to 7-nodes. The 5 and 7-node cuttings established earlier and produced higher dry matter (DM) during the first few weeks of growth than the 3-node cuttings. The 5 and 7-node cuttings also gave significantly higher tuber yields than 3-node cuttings. There was no apparent advantage of the 7-node cuttings over the 5-node cuttings in all the characters studied. Similarly, there were no significant effects due to the number of nodes per cutting on leaf area development at 6 weeks after planting till time of harvesting. Number of nodes per cutting did not have any significant effect on tuber and vine DM yield as well as tuber length to diameter ratio. Potassium fertilization did not have significant effect on any of the characters investigated although it increased tuber DM yield slightly.


(Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science, 1997, 30(1): 53-62)