Effects of variety and earthing on yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown under Khartoum State conditions

Abstract

This investigation was undertaken at the Experimental Farm of the College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology at Shambat. The area lies at Latitude 15°40´N and Longitude 32°32´E and 280 m. above sea level. The objective of the study is to evaluate four Dutch potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties namely; Kuroda, Almera, Provento and Alpha and to study the effect of repeated earthing-up on productivity of potato tubers of the same varieties. The varieties Kuroda, Almera, Provento and Alpha and earthing-up (once and twice earthing-up) were combined in a factorial experiment, using a randomized complete block design with four blocks. Parameters measured in the experiment included emergence, growth estimation during growing season, yield and yield components and tuber dry matter content. The results showed significant variation in emergence time, with varieties Kuroda, Almera and Provento emerged earlier than variety Alpha. Varieties Provento and Almera, exhibited higher number of stems per plant and number of tubers per plant. The results also revealed significant variations in tuber number and tuber yield (ton/ha) among potato varieties. Varieties Provento and Almera produced larger number of tubers/m2, while varieties Kuroda and Almera recorded higher yield. Alpha had the highest tuber dry matter. Varieties Kuroda and Almera earthed twice produced larger number of tubers/m2, and higher yield (ton/ha) than the varieties earthed once.