Irish Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Variety Evaluation at Bule Hora District of Borena Zone
Adaptability of crops can vary from location to location depending on the agro-ecology of a particular area. Therefore, it is essential to conduct location specific adaptation trial to identify suitable variety/varieites. Accordingly, an adaptation trial of Irish potato varieties was conducted in Bule hora district to identify potato varieties that is better in adaptation, yield and other agronomic characteristics, and pest and disease tolerant. The released varieties (Gudane, Jalane, Marachere, Guassa, Gorobela and Gera) were brought from Holeta Agricultural research center. Local variety was also included. The seven treatments (varieties) were laid out in RCBD with three replications. Significant variation was observed among the varieties for days to flowering, days to maturity, Unmarketable yield, marketable yield, number of tubers per hill, tuber weight per hill, stand count and tuber yield. There was no significant difference for tuber drymatter. The varieties Gorobella and local were earlier in maturity than other varieties except Jalane and Gudane. Even though significantly higher number of tubers was recorded in local, most of them were unmarketable. This is because, local was significantly higher in unmarketable yield but significantly lower in total yield and marketable yield than Gorobela, Gudane and jalane. The varieties Gorobela, Gudane and Jalane were significantly higher in total yield than all the varieties except Guassa. But, they were significantly higher in Marketable yield than all the varieties. They have got 66.3, 63.8 and 53.3% marketable yield increments over local respectively. Therefore, the varieties Gorobela, Gudane and Jalane can be appropriate varieties to be recommended for the farmers in the area to improve their Irish potato productivity.
