Multi-Location Assessment of Improved Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) Varieties in Kano State of Nigeria
S.U. Abdulkadir1, B.M. Auwalu2, A. Lado2, S.U. Yahaya2 and S.O. Afuape3
1Federal College of Horticulture, Dadinkowa, Gombe State, Nigeria 2Bayero University Kano, Kano State, Ngeria 3National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Nigeria
E-mail: babanaminatulmufida@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Multi-location experiment was conducted in farmers’ field at 3 local government areas of Kano state (Bagwai, Kibiya, and Rimingado) during 2016 rainy season with aim of evaluating performance of newly introduced improved sweet potato varieties for possible recommendation to the local farmers in the study areas based on their yield potential. The design of the experiment was randomised complete block design (RCBD). Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat 17th edition and the means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability. The result revealed significant differences among the varieties and the locations on growth characters and total root yield. The varieties differ significantly in all the growth parameters measured except crop growth rate 9-12 WAP and net assimilation rates 6-9 WAP. Centennial produced the highest vine yield (31.1 t ha-1) while Mother delight produced the lowest vine yield of 1.4 t ha-1. Among the newly introduced improved varieties King J was found to produce the highest total root yield (20.4tha-1) which was at par with the Local check variety Danchina (25.5 t ha-1). They were followed by AO305 (12.2 t ha-1) which was at par with T121 (10.3t ha-1), Mothers delight (5.1 t ha-1), Sumaia (4.8 t ha-1), Delvia (4.5 t ha-1). Centennial (1.7 t ha-1) and Lourdes (1.4 t ha-1) were significantly lower in root yield. Similarly location showed significant differences except on crop growth rate, number of leaves at 9 WAP and net assimilation rate at 9-12 WAP. Kibiya was significantly higher than all the location on both vine and root yield (34.2 and 16.4 t ha-1), respectively. The significant differences among the varieties observed in this study on total yield indicates that genotypes trial would, enable selection of high yielding varieties to improve yields and income of local farmers in order to achieve maximum benefit of the crop especially towards alleviating hunger and mal-nutrition in the study area. Varieties that recorded high vine yield but low storage root yield could be recommended for fodder production.
Keywords: Location, assessment, yield and sweet potato variety
