Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as Influenced by Variety and Planting Date in the Sudan Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Potato is a temperate crop requiring low temperatures for growth and yield. Production of potato in the Sudan savanna agro-ecological zone of Nigeria is restricted to periods of low temperatures that prevailed from early November to late February. The general 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. It is in view of the above that field experiments were conducted in two locations at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, during 2016/2017 dry season. The aim was to determine the most suitable potato variety and most appropriate planting date in the study area. Treatments consisted of factorial combinations of four Planting dates (1 st November, 15 th November 1 st December and 15 th December 2016) and four potato varieties (Bertita, Diamant, Lady-christl and Nicola). The experiments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Results revealed that number of tubers per plant, weight of tubers per plant, mean tuber weight, mean tuber diameter and fresh tuber yield were higher when planted on 1 st 15 th November. Bertita proved to be the most robust in terms of growth; and with Nicola, in terms of yield compared to the other varieties. Based on the results of this study, it could be concluded that planting of potato from 1 st November to 15 th November coupled with either Bertita or Nicola give the highest potato yield in the study area. Key-words: Solanum tuberosum, Savanna Ecological Zone, Tuberization, High altitude regions INTRODUCTION Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a temperate crop belonging to Solanaceae family. Potato is the fourth most important food crop in the world . It is believed to have originated from high plains of Andes Cordillera, where the Incas cultivated the crop largely for food. In tropical Africa, countries like Malawi, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Nigeria are among the main potato producing areas, where potato is produced on commercial scale, particularly on high altitude regions where temperatures and humidity are relatively low and suitable for potato growth, development and yield . How to cite this article Muhammad A, Mohammed IU, Yusuf H, Kwaifa NM, Tanimu MU. Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as Influenced by Variety and Planting Date in the Sudan Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria. Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res., 2018; 4(3): 1759-1765 Access this article online www.ijlssr.com Potato introduction and cultivation in Nigeria began in the early 1920s by Europeans involved in tin mining on the Jos plateau . In Nigeria, the area under potato cultivation during 2014 stands at 142, 680 hectares of land with an average production of 1,184,865 metric tonnes. Farmers yield was about 8.3 t ha in Nigeria . Over 85% of potato produced in Nigeria comes from Jos plateau. Other important potato areas include Biu and Mambila plateaus . Potato is a highly cherished crop usually considered as a food for the rich in the lowland Northern Nigeria like Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and the likes. However, its production is restricted to areas on high altitudes like Jos, Mambila and Biu plateaus; due to the relatively low night temperatures that prevail in these regions throughout the year which resulted to high cost of potato in north-western states. [3] Reported a huge potential for potato production in lowland Northern Research Article Copyright © 2015 2018| IJLSSR by Society for Scientific Research under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International License Volume 04 | Issue 03 | Page 1759 Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Muhnmmad et al., 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.3.4 Nigeria but cautioned that its production can only be possible during cold dry season (Harmattan periods) that prevails from November to February in the Sahel and Sudan savanna regions of Nigeria. During this period, the temperatures are relatively low and conducive for economic production of the crop under irrigation . Considering the variability of temperature and short (4 months) duration of the cold season, it is pertinent to relate planting date to coincide with the period of relatively low temperatures, as these high temperatures inhibit tuberization . The overall performance of potato varieties is influenced through the size of its foliage, time of tuber initiation; and length of time the foliage remained alive and photosynthesizes thereafter; its inherent ability to partitions assimilates to tubers, maturity period and response to environmental conditions . No single variety possesses all the desirable production and post-harvest qualities. It is therefore assumed that growth; yield and quality of a particular potato variety are genetically controlled, but can be influenced by external factors such as fertilizer, irrigation, temperature, radiation, day length, planting date, pests and diseases . Therefore, the choice of adapted and high yielding potato variety is vital for successful production. In order to have effective and efficient introduction programme for potato in the study area, a scientific research that evaluates some promising irrigated potato varieties for responses to different planting dates is necessary. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study areaThe experiments were conducted at the University Teaching and Research Farm during 2016/2017 dry season. The two locations are; Fadama Teaching and Research farm at located at Jega (lat. 12°12.99' N; long. 4° 21.90'; 197m above sea level) and the University orchard at Aliero (lat. 12°18.64'N; long. 4°29.85'; 262 above sea level). Both Jega and Aliero are located in Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria. The areas possess long dry season that is characterized by cool dry air (harmattan) which prevails from November to February and hot dry air extending from March to May. The locations are mainly used for cultivation of vegetable and cereal crops. Minimum and maximum temperature ranges were 18-29°C and 30-42°C, respectively. Minimum and maximum solar radiation ranges were 3.72 wm to 4.56 wm and 844.17 wm to 976.840 wm respectively. The relative humidity ranged from 26% to 39% and wind speed ranged from 1.9 to 5 ms. Treatments and experimental designTreatments consist of factorial combination of four potato varieties (Bertita, Diamant, Lady-christl and Nicola) and four planting dates (D1, D2, D3 and D4) corresponding to 1 November, 15 November, 1 December and 15 December, respectively. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Cultural practicesSeed tubers for the four (4) potato varieties were sourced from Potato Research Program of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Vom sub-station, Jos, Plateau State. The seed tubers were pre-sprouted for 3-6 weeks before planting. The seed tubers were dressed with fungicide (Mancozeb powder at 2.0 a.i. kghal) a day prior to planting. Planting was done according to treatments. Whole or cut tubers of approximately 20 g were planted per hill at inter and intra-row spacing of 75 and 30cm, respectively. Plots of 3.0 × 4.5m (13.5m) were marked out in each block, leaving 1.5m space between blocks. Each plot was made into six ridges to be spaced 75cm apart. Water channels were constructed for the effective supply of water to each furrow during irrigation. The net plot areas consist of the two middle rows 1.5 × 3.0m (4.5m). The source of water was a tube-well. Water pump machine was used to draw water from the source (tube well) to the experimental field through the constructed water channels. Irrigation was scheduled at 3-6 days interval depending on the crop’s need. A recommended dose of 600kg NPK (20:10:10) hawas applied in two equal split doses; at planting and at 4 Weeks after Planting (WAP), respectively. The fertilizer was applied 10cm away from a plant stand at a depth 5cm and covered. Weeds were controlled manually using hoe as at 3, 7 and 10 WAP. Insects were controlled using Karate (Cypermethrim) sprayed at 4mlL of water. The crop was harvested by digging with hoe following a light irrigation a day to harvest in order to facilitate easy lifting of tubers. Copyright © 2015 2018| IJLSSR by Society for Scientific Research under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International License Volume 04 | Issue 03 | Page 1760 Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. eISSN: 2455-1716 Muhnmmad et al., 2018 DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2018.4.3.4 Data collection and analysisThe data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using general linear model (GLM) of the Statistical Analysis System . The treatment means were separated using the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test . Correlation coefficient analysis was conducted to determine the relationships between yield, growth and yield parameters.