Effect of planting dates and varieties on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Hamelmalo area

Potato is one of the most important vegetable crop of Eritrea grown throughout the country. The appropriate planting time and the best promising potato varieties for growing under Hamelmalo environmental condition are not identified. Considering this point, a study has been carried out to find the suitable date of planting as well as varieties to grow in Hamelmalo area. The experiment consisted of four planting dates (Sept-20, Oct-2, Oct-14 and Oct-26) and three potato varieties Ajiba, Cosmos and Zafira were tested in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications under irrigated condition at the experimental farm of Hamelmalo Agricultural College during the growing season of 2013–14 with objective to evaluate and find suitable potato variety and planting time. Observations on growth parameters were recorded at 15 days interval during growth period of the crop. The data on yield and yield attributing parameters were recorded at harvesting. Data recorded on various parameters were analyzed statistically and analysis of variance showed that stem diameter and the yield of potato varieties significantly differed with different planting dates. Whereas, the tuber numbers and average tuber weight were found to be significantly affected by planting dates and varieties. On the other hand, stem number of potato varieties significantly differed within the varieties. It has been observed that delay in planting decreased the potato tuber yield. The potato variety Cosmos was the most adaptive variety with average yield of 57.5 t ha⁻¹ in Hamemalo area. Based on the findings of this research work it can be recommended that varieties Ajiba and Zafira varieties are preferable for planting early in the first week of October and Cosmos variety is preferable planting in the bit late in third week of October for cultivation in Hamelmalo region.