Evaluation of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties under Irrigation in West Wollega and Kellem Wollega Zones

Background and Objective: Low yields of potatoes have been attributed to several factors including lack of high-yielding improved varieties and poor quality seed, poor disease and pest management, inadequate soil fertility and water stress. The objective of this study was to identify the adaptable, high-yielding, insect pest and disease tolerant varieties of potato in West Wollega and Kelem Wollega zones of Oromia. Materials and Methods: Evaluation of potato varieties was done at Sayo and Nedjo sites of Haro Sabu Agricultural Research Center (HSARC) during 2018-2019 under irrigation conditions. Improved potato varieties namely Dagim, Belete, Gudanie, Hundee, Araarsaa, Jalenie and Gera varieties with local check were evaluated using randomized complete block design with three replications. As 195 kg/ha of Diamonium phosphate(DAP) fertilizer was applied at planting while 165 kg/ha Urea was applied in split form (50% at planting and the remaining 50% early before planting). The analysis of variance indicated significant (p<0.01 or 0.05) varietal differences for all observed parameters over year and locations. Results: The highest number of main stems were recorded from variety Belete at Sayo in 2018 and lowest was from Araarsaa variety at Nedjo in 2019. Highest tuber size was recorded from Belete variety and the lowest was from local variety. The highest and the lowest total tuber yield (TYt/ha) was recorded from Belete and Araarsaa varieties. The tested potato varieties Belete and Gudanie showed better performances on desirable traits such as number of tuber per hill, tuber size and marketable yields which determine total tuber yield. Conclusion: Therefore, Gudanie and Belete were identified and selected as the best for different merits to be demonstrated and popularized in the studied areas.