Yield, water use, and water use efficiency of sweet potato under different environments
2019
Dladla, L. N. T. | Modi, A. T. | Mabhaudhi, T. | Chibarabada, T. P.
Sweet potato, often termed “the poor man's crop”, is an important root crop largely produced by resource-poor farmers in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It has been reported to be adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. Recently, there have been efforts to promote orange-fleshed sweet potato to address vitamin A deficiency among poor rural people. The study investigated yield, water use, and water use efficiency (WUE) of three sweet potato cultivars (A40, A45 and 199062.1062.1) under different environments (Umbumbulu and Fountainhill in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) and agronomic practices (flat and peaked ridges). The experiment at each site was in split-plot design arranged in completely randomized blocks with three replications. Water use was calculated as a residual of the soil water balance. At harvest, yield was determined as below ground fresh biomass. Water use efficiency was obtained as the quotient of fresh yield and water use. Data from the two sites were analyzed separately as they were not homogenous. Higher yield was observed at Umbumbulu (13-35.5 t ha(‑1)) compared to Fountainhill (7.6-17.8 t ha(‑1)). At Fountainhill, A45 was the highest yielding cultivar under peaked ridges (17.8 t ha(‑1)). At Umbumbulu, A40 was the highest yielding cultivar under peaked ridges (35.5 t ha(‑1)). At both sites, flattened ridges used more water relative to peaked ridges. At both sites, WUE was higher under peaked ridges. Cultivars performed differently at each site and under the different ridge types. Flattened ridges favored neither high yield nor improved WUE. There is need to adopt different cultivars to improve yield and WUE across different environments.
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