Authors : A.O. Olojede , C.C. Nwokocha , A.O. Akinpelu and T.Y. Dalyop
Abstract: The field experiment was conducted at the experimental farms of the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike and Vom locations in Nigeria for 2 consecutive seasons to determine the optimum plant density and fertilizer requirements for Livingstone potato production under the high and low altitude agro-ecologies. Livingstone potato variety-var. Loangat was subjected to four plant densities (20,000; 40,000; 60,000; 80,000 plants ha 1) and four rates of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (0, 200, 400 and 600 kg ha 1). The effects of plant density and fertilizer was not significant on total tuber yield at Umudike in both years, however, both plant density and fertilizer effects were significant on total tuber yield at Vom except fertilizer rate that was not significant in 2005. On 2 year average the total tuber yield increased with increase in plant density with the maximum yield obtained at a density of 80, 000 plants ha 1 for both locations. While total tuber yield was depressed with NPK application at Umudike, the highest tuber yield was obtained with fertilizer application rate of 200 kg ha 1 in Vom. On the basis of economic analysis, it was recommended that for optimum yield of Livingstone potato, plant densities of between 60,000 and 80,000 plants ha 1 with NPK 15:15:15 applied at 200 kg ha 1 will be sufficient for good crop yield in soils deficient in plant nutrients at the two locations.
A.O. Olojede , C.C. Nwokocha , A.O. Akinpelu and T.Y. Dalyop , 2008. Optimum Plant Population and NPK Fertilizer Requirements for Livingstone Potato (Plectranthus Esculentus N.E. Br) Production under Two Distinct Agro-Ecologies in Nigeria . Agricultural Journal, 3: 89-92.