The effect of intra- row spacing and method cultivation on dry matter production and yield of Solnum tuberrosum L.
Abstract
Studies were carried out to show the effect of
spacing and method of cultivation on potatoes (Solanum
tuberosum). The potatoes were planted at three intrarow
spacings (15, 30 and 45 cm) and constant row spacing
of 75 cm. Two methods of cultivation (flat and ridge
cultivation) were also compared and the effect on yield
and size was studies. The experiments were carried out
at the Kabete Field Station, University of Nairobi between
October, 1979 and June, 1980 using the variety
called Anett.
The potatoes were planted to a factorial design
in four randomized blocks. Measurements of tuber yield,
tuber size, and drymatter accumulation were made. The
results were analysed and showed that wider intra-row
spacing promoted higher tuber weight, more dry matter
accumulated and bigger size of potatoes.
The narrower spacing of 15 cm produced numerous
small-sized potatoes. These small-sized potatoes fell
in grades that are not commercially accepted. As the
spacing was increased to 30 cm, the tuber size increased
with more potatoes falling in the acceptable grades. The
better grades were produced by the wider spacing of 4S
cm, with very few tubers.
Drymatter accumulation was partitioned between
tuber, stem, leaf and root. The drymatter accumulation
was sampled on specified intervals to determine
the accumulation pattern with the growth of the plant.
The results showed that more drymatter was accumulated
after flowering and during tuberization.
Of the two methods of cultivation, it was observed
that the highest yield of tubers was obtained when po
Citation
Mpiriirwe,D.M(1986). The effect of intra- row spacing and method cultivation on dry matter production and yield of Solnum tuberrosum L.Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology, University of Nairobi
Description
Msc-Thesis