*Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B 0248, Bauchi, Nigeria
**Technical Services Department, Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme, P.M.B 036, Lafia, N/state, Nigeria
Online published on 21 April, 2016.
A field trial was carried out during the rainy seasons of 2011 and 2012 at Akwanga in the southern Guinea savannah of Nigeria (latitude 080 54’N, longitude 070 33’E) to determine the effects of organic fertilizer rates (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5t ha−1) and different types of fertilizers (fertiplus, nomau and rootslizer) on the growth and yield of two sweetpotato (TIS 2535 op 1.13 and Ex-Igbariam) varieties. Split-split plot design was used as design for the experiment with variety in the main plot, fertilizer in the sub-plot and fertilizer rate in the sub-sub plot, replicated three times. The results obtained showed that variety TIS 2535 op 1.13 had significantly (P< 0.05) longer trails with higher number of vines, higher root diameter and yield (t ha−1) than EX-Igbariam. Application of fertiplus and rootslizer was observed to produce significantly (P≤0.05) longer trails, more vines, higher root diameter and root yield than nomau. Even though, rootslizer statistically (P≤ 0.05) produced higher root yield in 2011 than fertiplus. Application of 4.5 t ha−1 produced significantly (P≤ 0.05) longer trials with more vines, root diameter, fresh root weight and yield than the other rates used. From the forgoing, TIS 2535 op 1.13 had the potential for increased yield per unit area with the application of fertiplus at the rate of 4.5 t ha−1.
Effect, Growth, Organic fertilizer type and rate, Sweetpotato, Yield
