Effect of inorganic fertilizer and cattle manure on growth and yield of two Kenyan potato varieties
Paper Details
Effect of inorganic fertilizer and cattle manure on growth and yield of two Kenyan potato varieties
Abstract
Low soil fertility is a major constraint to irish potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in most parts of Kenya. An experiment was conducted at Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Tigoni to determine the effect of inorganic fertilizer and cattle manure on growth and yield of Desiree and Kenya Mavuno potato varieties. The experiment was a split plot design with two main plots each with four subplots and three replicates. Varieties formed the main plots while treatments (NPK (23:23:0) 100kg acre-1, NPK (23:23:0) 50kg acre-1 plus cattle manure 1.6t acre-1, cattle manure 3.2t acre-1 and control formed the subplots. Data collected included, stem height, canopy %, tuber size and yield. Data was analyzed by Analysis of variance (ANOVA).First season, stem height was significantly different among all treatments, NPK gave the highest. Second season, NPK and NPK plus cattle manure was not significantly different. NPK gave the highest height. Canopy %, during the first season, NPK had the highest although it was not significantly different from NPK plus cattle manure. Second season, NPK had the highest canopy % and was significantly different. The best tuber size distribution resulted from NPK treatment. On tuber yield, first season NPK and NPK plus cattle manure had no significant difference. Second season, NPK was significantly different. In all tested parameters NPK treatment had better performance from the rest of the treatments and can be recommended in irish potato production.
Acquaah, G. 2007. Principles of plant genetics and breeding. Blackwell Publishing limited. DOI: doi. org/10.1017/50021859607007095.
Djilani Ghemam, Amara and Mourad, Senoussi Mohammad. 2013. Influence of organic manure on the vegetative growth and tuber production of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. varspunta) in sahara desert region.
FAO. 2008. Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations International Year of The Potato 2008. www.Potato2008.Org.
Hoffler H, Ochieng B. 2008. High commodity prices – who gets money? Preliminary findings for world food day 2008 Heirich Boll foundation.
Jaetzold R, Schmidt H, Hornetz B, Shisanya C. 2006. Farm Management handbook of Kenya (vol. 11, 149-245) Nairobi: Kenya: Ministry of Agriculture.
Kabira JN, Wakahiu M, Wagaoire W, Gildermacher P, Lemaga B. 2006. Guidelines for production of healthy seed potatoes in East and Central Africa KARI Publication.
Kaguongo WP, Gildemacher P, Demo P, Wagoire W, Kinyae P, Andrade J, Forbes G, Fuglie K, Thiele G. 2008. Farmers’ practices and Adoption of improved potato varieties in Kenya and Uganda. Publisher International Potato Center (CIP), ISBN: ISSN 0256-8748. www.researchgate.net//268148073. DOI:10.13140/2.1.2155.7449.
Ministry of Agriculture. 2005. National Policy on potato industry. Policy and reforms in the industry to improve production research marketing and regulatory framework.
Ministry of Agriculture. 2008 National policy on potato industry. Minstry of Agriculture Nairobi Kenya.
Mugambi MS. 1979. Manure and Fertilizer requirements of potatoes on acid soils. East Africa. 44(4), 178.278. www.books. google.com/books. Isbn=92914616×2004 agricultural systems Agricultural and Forestry Journal
Muthoni J, Kabira JN. 2010. Effects of crop rotation on soil macronutrient content and PH in potato producing areas in Kenya. A case study of KARI Tigoni research station. Journal of soil science and environment management vol. 1(9), pp 227-233. http://www.academicjournals.org/ JSSEM.
Powon MP, Mwaja V, Aguyo JN. 2004. The effect of potassium, phosphorus and farmyard manure on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Paper Presented At the 9th Triennial Symposium of International Society For Tropical Root- Africa Branch (ISTRC–AB).
Mbogo, N. W, Kinama, J. M, Onyango, C, Kabira J. N, 2017. Effect of inorganic fertilizer and cattle manure on growth and yield of two Kenyan potato varieties. Int. J. Agron. Agric. Res., 10(1), 65-72.
Copyright © 2017 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.