Effects of Seed Tuber Size and Plant Population on Seed Tuber Yield of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) in Central Ethiopia

Optimizing plant density and seed tuber sizes are the most important agronomic management practices in seed production of potato due to their effects on seed cost and seed tuber yields. A field experiment was conducted under irrigation during in 2014 at Holetta, Ethiopia with the objective of elucidating the effect of varied plant spacing and seed tuber sizes on seed tuber yield production. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that seed tuber size and plant spacing significantly (P< 0.05) influenced on average tuber weight, number of tubers and tuber yield in each seed size categories, seed tuber costs. Highest tuber yield were obtained at closer plant spacing and from medium and large seed tuber sizes whereas the lowest tuber yield were obtained at wider plant spacing and from small seed tuber sizes. The highest numbers of tubers were obtained from large seed tuber sizes and plants grown at closer plant spacing of 50 x 20, 50 x 30 and 60 x 20cm produced highest tuber number. Plant spacing 60 x 20 cm and medium-sized tubers (35-45mm) led to the production of the highest seed tuber yield and appropriate for seed tuber yield production by considering better income, seed saving and intercultural operations. Keywords: Seed tuber size, Plant population, Seed tuber yield, Seed cost DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/9-3-08