Performance Evaluation of Irish Potato Varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.) Under Irrigation at Selected Districts of Central Ethiopia Region

Background and Objective: In Alicho Wuriro and Misrak Azernet Worabe, farmers produced potatoes under rain-fed and irrigation to ensure income generation, food security, and food self-sufficiency. However, farmers in these areas continue to use local potato varieties that have low yield potential and susceptible to disease due to a lack of innovation in potato technology. The study aimed to select and recommend the best Irish potato varieties under irrigation conditions. Materials and Methods: It was conducted in Alicho Wuriro and Misrak Azernet District of Siltie zone, in 2017/18. The treatments consisted of five improved varieties (Gudene, Belete, Degemegn, Jalene, and Guassa) and one local variety. A randomized complete block design with three replications was adopted. Data on plant height, tuber number plant, total tuber yield in ton/ha, severity of late blight, and powdery mildew disease and analyzed using SAS 9.3 software. Results: The interaction effect of varieties*locations revealed significant variations in tuber per plant, total yield, and disease response combined over two locations. Based on the mean performance variety Degemegn recorded the highest total tuber yield in ton/ha at Alicho Wuriro District and Guassa variety also gave the highest tuber yield in ton/ha at Misrak Azernet District. Conclusion: The Degemegn variety in Alicho District and Guassa variety were the two highest-performing varieties in specific environments. Therefore, genotypes Degemegn for Alicho Wuriro and Guassa for Misrak Azernet District which produced lower disease severity coupled with higher tuber yield, can be recommended for production under irrigation in the study area.