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. 2022 Oct 15;8(10):e11111.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11111. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) increased by more than two-folds through nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in the highlands of North-Western Ethiopia

Tadele Amare  1 , Zerfu Bazie  1 , Erkihun Alemu  1 , Beamlaku Alemayehu  1 , Abere Tenagne  1 , Bitewlgn Kerebh  1 , Yasin Taye  2 , Abrham Awoke  1 , Tesfaye Feyisa  3 , Selamyihun Kidanu  4
Affiliations

Yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) increased by more than two-folds through nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in the highlands of North-Western Ethiopia

Tadele Amare et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

Ethiopia has a huge potential to increase the production and productivity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) mainly in north-western regions where current potato yields are less than 10 t ha-1. Soil fertility and disease are the major yield-limiting factors of potato in this part of the country. Three-year's on-farm research was conducted to get the optimum economic levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrients for the major potato-growing areas of north-western Ethiopia. A factorial experiment with four levels of N (46, 92, 138, and 194 kg ha-1), three levels of P2O5 (46, 69, and 92 kg ha-1), and one pilot treatment with no NP nutrient inputs was used. A randomised complete block design with three replications was used. The findings of the research showed that more than 40 t ha-1of potato could be attained (about four times the current productivity) in the study areas through NP nutrient management. The yield was increased significantly with an increased rate of N at all sites (p < 0.01). The yield difference was nonsignificant (p > 0.05) between P levels for most of the sites and years. The financial analysis of the findings for Yilmana Densa district indicated that applying 138 N and 46 P2O5 kg ha-1, together, gave a marginal return of (Birr/Birr) 70.9, whereas 138 N and 69 P2O5 kg ha-1 resulted in 10.7. For the South Gondar, 138 N and 46 P2O5 kg ha-1 gave a marginal return of 24.3 (Birr/Birr). Therefore, based on the farm gate price of potato and the cost of fertilizer, 138 N, combined with 69 P2O5 kg ha-1, is recommended for the Yilmana Densa. For the South Gondar, 138 N, combined with 46 P2O5 kg ha-1, is recommended.

Keywords: Nitrogen; Partial budget; Phosphorus; Potato; Soil fertility; South Gondar; Tuber yield; Yilmana Densa.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Potato productivity in Ethiopia. https://research.cip.cgiar.org/confluence/display/wpa/Ethiopia) (accessed 8 January 2019).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The distribution of rainfall for the study sites (Yilmana Densa and south Gondar) during the research period (2016–2018).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Response of potato at Yilmana Densa and South Gondar to N (A) and P (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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