Response of potato crop to selected nutrients in central and eastern highlands of Kenya

Low nutrients have been reported in potato-growing areas of Kenya, prompting a need for nutrient management research. A study was designed to determine the effect of omitting nutrients on potato growth, yield and harvest index. On-farm nutrient omission trials were set during the long rains (LR) and short rains (SR) of 2016 in which the treatments involve the judicious omission of N, P, K, S and B. Additional two treatments were included with one receiving all the nutrients and a control where no nutrients were added. The treatment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Potato yields reduced by 6.6 and 11.2 t ha−1 in N-omitted treatments in LR and SR, respectively, when compared to the one receiving all the nutrients, while omitting P resulted in respective yield reductions of 3.8 and 2.0 t ha−1. Stability analysis revealed that omission of N was more stable with a regression coefficient of 0.5; it was followed by P with a value of 1. Potassium, S and B were limiting nutrients only in some farms. N and P should continue to be included in potato nutrient management, while K, S and B should be added based on soil test.

Citation: Mugo, J. N., Karanja, N. N., Gachene, C. K., Dittert, K., Gitari, H. I., Schulte-Geldermann, E. (2021). Response of potato crop to selected nutrients in central and eastern highlands of Kenya. Cogent Food & Agriculture. ISSN 2331-1932 7(1). 19 p
2021-08-23
CROP AND SYSTEMS SCIENCES CSS, CROP PROTECTION, NUTRITION, POTATO AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS, POTATOES
Kenya

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