EFFECTS OF IN-ROW SPACING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF IRISH POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.) VARIETIES IN EASTERN HIGHLANDS OF ZIMBABWE

EFFECTS OF IN-ROW SPACING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF IRISH POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.) VARIETIES IN EASTERN HIGHLANDS OF ZIMBABWE

CALVER MVUMI

ALBERT MAWOKO

ALMA MUROPA

ALBERT TSINDI

rish potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yields vary widely, usually showing a declining trend, due to differences in in-row spacing used,as well as poor varietal selection for specific locations. This study evaluated the growth and yield responses to different in-row spacings of different varieties of Irish potato grown in Eastern highlands of Zimbabwe. The treatments consisted of three varieties, namely BP1, Diamond and Garnet, and three in-row spacings, namely: 10 cm, 30 cm and 50 cm. Inter-row spacing was maintained at 90cm for all treatments. Treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD); 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, replicated 3 times. Measurements taken were on plant height, number of potato tubers plant-1, and weight of marketable potato tubers, and then averaged. All in-row spacing were significantly different at P <0.001 with 10 cm producing the highest mean height (92.29 cm). Of the three varieties (Garnet, Diamond and BP1), BP1 produced the greatest height (76.12 cm). There was significant interaction (P=0.001) between variety and in-row spacing on the mean number of tubers plant-1. BP1 produced superior (P < 0.001) mean weight of tubers (15.14 t/ha) and potato tubers/plant (21.47) in comparison to Garnet and Diamond at 10 cm in-row spacing. In conclusion, the study reported the optimum in-row spacing of 10 cm at which, BP1, among the other tested varieties, showed potential to attain the greatest growth and tuber yield when grown under ideal conditions

International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR

2018