Review of Potato Agronomic Research in Central highlands of Ethiopia: Achievements and Future Prospects

Abstract

The suboptimal agronomic techniques practiced by potato growers in Ethiopia are undoubtedly one of the contributing factors to the existing low average national yield. Agronomic studies have been undertaken by different research centers and higher learning institutions to develop a package of optimum Agronomic management practices, together with improved potato varieties. Agronomic research at Holetta, Adet and Bako Agricultural Research Centers and various universities were carried out for more than two decades with the objectives to alleviate production constraints of potato in different parts of the country for various agro-ecologies for smallholder farmers and thereby increase the production and productivity of potato. Thus, experiments were carried out on agronomic research such as planting dates, planting depth and method of planting, inter and intra row spacing, planting depth and intra row spacing, seed tuber size & plant population density and number of hilling during the growing period. These experiments were carried out at different agro-ecological zones, via mid altitude and high altitude areas of the country. Moreover, fertilizer rate and time of applications, nitrogen fertilizer and planting density, and integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers application to see their effect on potato yield and quality for seed and ware potatoes productions comprise the major component of the agronomic/physiology research. In addition, agronomic practices such as intercropping, dates of dehaulming and vermicompost were carried out. Therefore, to boost the production and productivity of potato for food security and income generation in the country the appropriate use of recommended agronomic practices should be crucial.
Keywords: Potato, Agronomy, Nitrogen & Phosphorus, INM, Vermicompost, Ethiopia