Seasonal Changes in Photosynthate Partitioning in High Yielding Sweet Potato Varieties under Varied K Nutrition Levels

Abstract

Background: Potassium is a major nutrient needed by the crops including tuber crops. It is essential for tuber initiation and bulking process. Varietal differences in potassium uptake and utilization in many crops were reported. As many varieties of sweet potato are released so far, studies on understanding the variations in potassium accumulation and its influence on tuber yield are essential. Methods: Field experiments were conducted during kharif and rabi seasons, 2021 with an objective to assess the seasonal influence and potassium nutrition [0 kg K2O/ha (K1), 50 kg K2O/ha (K2), 75 kg K2O/ha (K3) and 100 kg K2O/ha (K4)] on growth and tuber yield of five sweet potato varieties - four high yielding varieties (HYV) and one local variety [Bhu Krishna (V1), Sree Arun (V2), Sree Bhadra (V3), Bhu Sona (V4) and Kanjanghad Local (V5)]. There were 20 treatment combinations replicated thrice in a randomized block design. Result: Significantly higher tuber yield (17.01 t/ha) during kharif season was recorded by variety Bhu Sona. But during rabi season, Sree Arun was superior with a tuber yield of 23.92 t/ha. The potassium nutrition up to 75 kg K2O/ha increased the yield of sweet potato in rabi season. Interaction effect of two factors was also significant with respect to tuber yield, total chlorophyll content and tuber K content. Potassium Harvest Index (%) and Potassium Accumulation Value (g/plant) also significantly varied between varieties and K levels.

The Effect of Different Seeding and Fertilizer Rates on Agronomic Traits, Yield and Yield Components of Two Fodder Oat(Avena Sativa) Varieties in Highlands of North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia

“…The main cause of those differences in plant height was the differences in genetic makeup of the oat varieties/accessions. Zaman et al, (2006) explained that plant height may differ in varieties due to environmental conditions which in turn cause variation in hormonal balance and cell division rates. Even though fertilizer application rate did not show a significant variation, numerically highest plant heights of 131.78 cm and 131.73 cm were recorded for 69 and 46 N application rates, respectively and the shortest (124.13 cm) was recorded for 23 N application.…”