Participatory Variety Selection of Irish Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) Varieties in High Lands of Silite and Hadiya Zones, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

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. The experiment was carried out at four famres field and on station, at three different locations. The seven potato varieties was used as a treatment for the study and carried out using RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) with three replication. These varieties are Gudanie, Jalenie, Wechecha, Dancha, Bulle, Mara charre, and local variety. From the present investigations significant variation was observed among the varieties for tuber weight and tuber yield at three locations. But for Plant height significant variation was observed only at Kadkado site, whereas for tuber diameter significant variation was observed only at Misrek-Analemo and Kadkado site. The result across the three location reveled that varieties Gudanie and Dancha was showed better performances and preferred by farmers based on different criteria. Therefore famers who resides in similar agro-ecology use the above two outstanding varieties can benefit more and more.

Keywords: Potato, Potato tuber, plant height, tuber diameter, yield