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