Abstract

Wubshet Mamo*

ABSTRACT

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the major world food crop and worldwide the most important vegetable crop in terms of quantities produced and consumed. It ranks fourth after maize, rice and wheat. Potato was introduced to Ethiopia around 1858 by German botanist, Schimper. It is the second most important tuber crop next to ‘Enset’ in the country. Under Ethiopian condition the utilization of fertilizers (DAP, Urea) to improve potato yield is not common; attributed to lack of information regarding suitable fertilizers and their methods, rate and time of application for efficient use. Though there is recommended rate of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers, the work done so far is blanket recommendation, not updated and there is rise in fertilizer price that needs new study. This study was initiated to identify proper combination and rate of ‘N and P’ fertilizer application for potato crop. The research was carried out at Debre Berhan University campus demonstration site using irrigation. The experimental design was arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Treatments were 100% DAP, 50% Urea; 100% DAP, 75% Urea; 50% DAP, 100% Urea;75% DAP, 100% Urea; 100% DAP, 100% Urea; and unfertilized control (0 DAP and 0 Urea). Data on uniformity, tuberization, quality of tubers in terms of shape and size were collected from central rows. Furthermore, number of tillers per plant, days to flowering, stem thickness, plant height, number of tubers per plant and yield (t/ha) were collected. Treatments that received 100% DAP, 50% Urea and 50% DAP, 100% Urea showed higher yield than other treatments. Yet the difference is not statistically significant except for the control. The difference needs further investigation in terms of cost and benefit analysis.