Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer (Urea) Rate Application on Growth Performance of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) on Vertisols of Central Highland of North Shewa, Ethiopia

Daniel Daka Godebo

doi:10.7176/alst/80-01

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine response of potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) to different rates of nitrogen fertilizer (urea) applied as 0 kg/ha, 81 kg/ha 165 kg/ha and 246 kg/ha on vertisols of Debre Berhan university demonstration site which was located at central highlands(North Shewa) of Ethiopia. Treatments were arranged in RCBD design. Data was collected after 50% of plants were produced flower in which it was sampled randomly from center of plot. Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer urea 246kg/ha and 165kg/ha delayed days to flowering, increases stem length, above ground biomass, underground biomass, branch number, and stem number as compared to the control(N=0kg/ha). It was observed that application of 165 kg urea/ha is required for optimum growth and performance of potato Gorebeilla variety on Vertisols of Debre Berhan in central high lands of Ethiopia. Keywords: - Potato, gorebeilla variety, Nitrogen fertilizer, aboveground performance, underground performance, different Rate application DOI: 10.7176/ALST/80-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Highlights

In Ethiopia variety trials conducted over several locations on different crop species clearly indicated that soil nutrient stress is most significant parameter controlling crop yield (Tamire 1989)
It is significant to note that fertilizer response is directly related to soil and crop types emphasizing that soils varying in fertility status and crop species respond differently to applied fertilizers
Farmers in study area (North Shewa) are conscious of response of potato to applied nutrients and raise crop in homestead using farmyard manure and house hold garbage. They do not, know type and rate of fertilizers to be applied for individual crop species and cultivars for improving crop productivity, fertility status of soil and types of cultivars blanket national recommendation of 165 kg/ha urea is being used for potato production in North Shewa, Ethiopia

Summary

Introduction

In Ethiopia variety trials conducted over several locations on different crop species clearly indicated that soil nutrient stress is most significant parameter controlling crop yield (Tamire 1989). Farmers in study area (North Shewa) are conscious of response of potato to applied nutrients and raise crop in homestead using farmyard manure and house hold garbage. They do not, know type and rate of fertilizers to be applied for individual crop species and cultivars for improving crop productivity, fertility status of soil and types of cultivars blanket national recommendation of 165 kg/ha urea is being used for potato production in North Shewa, Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods

Findings

Result and Discussion

Conclusion