Research Paper
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 6 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 432-435
Evaluation of Various Spacings to Enhance Sweet Potato Production in Kenya
Violet Nakhungu Momanyi1, Teresia Karanja2
1Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Food Crops Research Centre, KALRO Kabete, P.O. Box 14733-00800, Nairobi, Kenya
2Plant protection Services Division, State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 14733-00800, Nairobi, Kenya
Corresponding Author: Violet Nakhungu Momanyi
ABSTRACT
Sweet potato cultivation is on the increase in semi-arid lands due to its high adaptability and utilization. In Kenya, it is an important food crop across Counties alongside maize and has gained popularity among many farmers due to its ability to give satisfactory yields under adverse climatic and soil conditions as well as under low or no use of external inputs. However, its yield potential of 20-50 t/ha of tuber weight is yet to be exploited by farmers due to abiotic and biotic constraints. Field trials were conducted in two sites (KALRO- Muguga South and Siaya ATC) during long rains season of 2014, with an aim of evaluating various spacings that would aid in enhancing sweet potato production in Kenya. SPK 004 variety yielded highest when spaced at 75cm x 30cm and 90cm x 30cm, and Kemb 10 at 90cm x 30cm in KALRO- Muguga South, while Bungoma yielded highest when spaced at 75cm x 30cm and Cuny-kibuonjo at 90cm x 60cm in Siaya ATC.
Key words: Sweet potato, variety, spacing, enhance, production
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