Article Sidebar
Published:
Nov 2, 2024Keywords:
Article Details
Submission of a manuscript implies; that the work described has not been published before (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, or thesis) that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that if and when the manuscript is accepted for publication, the authors agree to automatic transfer of the copyright to the publisher.
Copyrights for the papers published in UJAS are retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. The journal is not responsible for subsequent uses of the work. It is the responsibility of the author to bring an infringement action if so desired by the author.
The journal has an online Open Access policy licensed according to Creative Commons Share-Alike Non-Commercial.
Main Article Content
Potato yield response to tillage practices and inorganic potassium application in South Western Uganda
Abstract
This study examined the effects of minimum and conventional tillage practices and
potassium levels on potato yield in South Western Uganda. Researcher and farmer managed trials were set at KaZARDI and Kariko for three seasons. Varying rates of potassium fertilizer (100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 kg ha-1) were applied in a split plot arrangement with tillage practices as main plots and K rates as the subplots of a randomized complete block design with three replications. Potato growth and yield data was analysed using R-studio version 4.2.0. The findings were that application of 200 kg K ha⁻¹ significantly (P <0.001) increased plant height, the number of tubers per plant, and overall yield per hectare by 12.5%, 27.5% and 21.7%%, respectively. The highest marketable tuber yield achieved was 26.4 t/ha under conventional tillage, compared to 23.3 t/ha under minimum tillage. The interaction between tillage practices and potassium levels was statistically significant, with
traditional tillage showing a stronger response to fertilizer application than minimum tillage. Although minimum tillage resulted in a lower yield, it is cost effective, with a benefit-cost ratio of 3.1.
