Response of potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Variet-ies to planting dates in Semi-arid lowland Nigeria

摘要

Potato is a temperate crop requiring low temperatures for growth and yield.Production of potato in the semiarid lowland Nigeria is restricted to periodsof low temperatures that prevailed from early November to late February. Thegeneral approach for potato in this region is to relate the planting date to coincide with the period of relatively low temperatures, as high temperature inhibits growth and yield. Based on the above, field experiments were conducted intwo locations at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Kebbi State Universityof Science and Technology, Aliero, during 2016/2017 dry season. The aim wasto determine the most appropriate planting date and most suitable variety inthe study area. Treatments consisted of factorial combinations of four Planting dates (1st November, 15th November, 1st December and 15th December2016) and four potato varieties (Bertita, Diamant, Lady-christl and Nicola).The experiments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design withthree replications. Results revealed that stand count, plant height, number ofleaves per plant, shoot dry weight, number of tubers per plant, weight of tubers per plant, mean tuber weight, mean tuber diameter and fresh tuber yieldwere higher when planted on 1st - 15th November. Bertita proved to be themost robust in terms of growth; and with Nicola, in terms of yield comparedto the other varieties. Based on the results of this study, it could be concludedthat, planting of potato from 1st November to 15th November coupled witheither Bertita or Nicola give the highest potato yield in the study area.