The influence of phosphorus fertilization on growth and tuberization of sweet potato (ipomea batatas lamb)
Abstract
A study was conducted to investigate the
effect of 4 P fertilizer levels on growth, tuberization
and accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
calcium and magnesium in vines and tuberous roots of
2 sweet potato varieties during the short and long
rains seasons (1981 - 1982). The variety Musinya
produced significantly higher yields of vines than
Gikanda but the latter produced significantly higher
yield and more tuberous roots than the former in both
seasons. Musinya accumulated more dry matter in
vines than Gikanda whereas Gikanda accumulated
significantly higher dry matter in tuberous roots
than Musinya in both seasons.
Gikanda accumulated significantly higher N,
P, K and Ca in tuberous roots than Musinya in the
short rains season and K and Mg.in the long rains.
Musinya accumulated significantly higher Ca in vines
than Gikanda whereas the latter accumulated higher
N in vines than the former in the short rains season.
Nitrogen P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations in vines
were higher than in tuberous roots in both the
short and long rains seasons. However, the
accumulation of similar nutrients in vines and
(xvii)
tuberous roots were higher in samples collected in
the short rains season than in the long rains.
Phosphorus fertilizer application levels
did not show any significant effect on growth and
yield of vines and tuberous roots, dry matter and
nutrient accumulation in vines and tuberous roots
of both varieties in both seasons.
Relationships between nutrient concentrations
in vines and dry matter accumulation in vines and
tuberous roots showed that higher N concentration
in vines of both varieties tended to inhance dry
rna tt.ere.ac cumu La.tLon in vines than in tuberous roots.
Higher Ca concentration in vines tended to inhance
dry matter accumulation in tuberous roots. Phosporus
K and Mg concentrations in vines of both varieties
showed differences in relationship with dry matter
accumulation in vines and tuberous roots with both
varieties and seasons."
Citation
Master of Science in Agronomy,Publisher
Faculty of Agriculture