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Integrated nutrient management for orange-fleshed sweet potato in south eastern Nigeria


F Akpaninyang
DA Okpara
JC JC

Abstract

In the rainforest of south eastern Nigeria, new varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas Lam) have been introduced but appropriate soil nutrient management for these cultivars is lacking. The present study evaluated the response of two varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (Umuspo 1 and Umuspo 3) to different fertilizer combinations (Poultry manure, NPK and agrolyser). The experiment was a split plot laid out in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Results obtained showed that weed dry matter was lower with the control or with application of 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK than with  application of poultry manure at 10t/ha. Storage root yields obtained from 400kg/ha NPK(the check) or 2.5t/ha poultry manure + 200kg NPK were comparable but significantly higher than the yields from the control or agrolyser or from 200kg/ha NPK + agrolyser. Umuspo 1 variety gave higher shoot biomass and lower weed density than Umuspo 3. There was no interaction between the fertilizer combinations and variety, suggesting that the orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties  responded similarly to nutrient management strategies.


Key words: Ipomoea batatas, nutrient management, storage root yield, south eastern Nigeria


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eISSN: 2410-6909
print ISSN: 1026-0919