Effect of soil characteristics on potato tuber minerals composition of selected Kenyan varieties

Abstract

The current study was set up to evaluate the effect of soil characteristics on selected potato tuber minerals composition. Eight sites located in Nyandarua County in Kenya were selected for this study. The study was carried out between April and September 2013. Soil samples were randomly collected from representative portion of the field in each site. All the samples from each site after packing were taken for laboratory analysis for minerals analysis using standard methods. Well sprouted diffused light stored (DLS) seeds and fresh potato seeds from four varieties (Kenya Mpya, Dutch Robjin, Tigoni and Cangi) were grown in four sites under standard conditions. After harvesting, ten mature tubers of each variety per site and seed potato storage were packed in net bags and taken for minerals evaluation. Data was analyzed using statistical system version 9.

Soil minerals differed significantly (p ? 0.05) with sites. Generally, potato tuber minerals significantly (p ? 0.05) differed with sites, potato varieties and seed potato storage (fresh or eight-month DLS seed). There was a positive correlation between potato tuber minerals levels and the soil minerals content. Potato minerals were thus affected by potato variety, seed potato storage and soil characteristics in a production site.

DLS seed storage should be adopted so as to produce improved nutritious potatoes for processing. Soil and potato tuber analyses should be extended to other potato growing areas and should be conducted regularly after every two years for potatoes nutritional improvement.