Evaluation of Potato Varieties Rooted Shoot Tip Cuttings as Influenced by IBA Growth Regulator for Transplant Survival and Tuber Production in Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Potato is food security crop. However, in northwestern Ethiopia, the productivity is low due to a shortage of quality seed tubers. Therefore, to solve this problem, an alternative seed production system is needed. Thus, an experiment was conducted to assess the shoot tip cuttings of potato varieties for transplant survival, establishment, and tuber production under field conditions during the 2022 cropping season at Adet agricultural research center, northwestern Ethiopia. The treatments consisted of eight potato varieties (Belete, Gudine, Jalane, Shonkola, Gussa, Gera, Dagim, and Ater Abeba) and four rates of IBA concentration (0 ppm, 3000 ppm, 6000 ppm, and 9000 ppm). The experiment was laid out in a factorial arrangement using randomized complete block design with three replications. Transplant survival, establishment, and tuber production data were collected and analyzed. Results of main effects of variety and IBA significantly influenced analyzed data .The highest number of tubers (8.6) was registered from Belete treated at 6000 ppm IBA while the highest average tuber weight (136.08 g) was produced by variety Shenkolla not treated with IBA. Gera gave the highest tuber weight per plant (691.52g) and the highest yield (25.74 tons ha− 1) Similarly, IBA concentration of 6000 ppm gave the highest yield (19.16 tons ha-1). The experiment results suggested that rooted shoot tip cuttings of varieties Beleete, Gudenie, Gusa, Dagim, and Ater Abeba treated at 6000 ppm IBA concentration, Jalenie and Shonkolla treated at 3000 ppm IBA concentration, and Gera treated at 9000 ppm IBA concentration showed better results.