Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the effect of inter and
intra row spacing on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) seed and ware tuber
emergence and subsequent growth in 2011/12 production season. The experiment
was laid out in a 6x3 factorial combination arranged in a randomized complete
block design with three replications (Six levels of inter: 60, 65, 70, 75, 80
and 85 cm and three levels of intra row spacings: 20, 30 and 40 cm). Most of
the variables collected in this experiment were significantly affected by inter,
intra and/or their interactions except the number of main stem which did not
show any change as the result to change of these treatments. Though most of
the variables considered require wider spacing, it was observed that an indefinite
increase in the space between plants and rows did not result to an increase
in any of the variables apart from extending days to flowering and maturity.
For the optimum emergence and successful growth of potato tubers for both seed
and ware, spacing of 70-75 and 20-30 cm between plants and rows, respectively
were identified as the best combination to be used in the study area. |