Effect of Different Seedbed Preparation Methods on Potato Yields in Kabarole District, Uganda

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) is one of the most important tuber crops produced in Uganda. However, the production and productivity of the crop are far below the world average due to poor crop seedbed preparation. An experiment for accessing the response of potato yields under different Seedbed preparation methods was conducted. Treatments consisted of two levels of seedbed preparation: Zero tillage and conventional tillage with and without NPK, laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Data was collected on growth parameters: average number of stems, estimated average plant height, estimated average plant width, and yield parameters: number of greened tubers, the weight of greened tubers, number of good tubers, and yield of potatoes. It was analysed using GenStat software. Results revealed that the proper seedbed preparation method was of paramount importance. Higher yields were observed in conventional tillage (14,744 Kg/ha) compared to zero-tillage (14,519 Kg/h). It was recommended that industrious seedbed preparation be encouraged among the farmers.