Effects of phosphorus fertilizer treatments on vegetative growth, tuberous yield and phosphorus uptake of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)

Abstract

A variety of sweet potato (Shaba) was studied for its vegetative growth, yield and phosphorus uptake under the influence of four different fertilizers using randomized complete block design (RCBD) in the experimental area of the University of Ibadan. Incubation study revealed that, single super phosphate was the best among them in phosphorus release despite that it favoured suppressed tuberous yield of the experimented plant. Sweet potato plots treated with crystallizer fertilizer at the rate of 445 kg/ha had the highest phosphorus uptake and vegetative growth while control plots produced plants with highest tuberous yield. It is therefore recommended that, crystallizer applied at the rate of 445 kg/ha should be used for significant phosphorous uptake which equally leads to better quality sweet potato tuber production and appreciable vegetative growth. Also, high tuberous yield in sweet potato can be achieved when the soil has low phosphorus level which is as low as 6.80 mg/kg. Key words: Sweet potato, fertilizer treatment, incubation, phosphorus uptake, yield.