Evaluation of tuber yield performance of Orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) varieties at western Hararghe, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Evaluation of tuber yield performance of Orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) varieties at western Hararghe, Eastern Ethiopia
Chala Lemma1*, Rida Abarashad2 and Mekonnen Tensaw3
1Corresponding author: 
College of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Oda Bultum, University, Chiro, Ethiopia.    P.O. Box 226.  Email: chala.lemma@obu.edu.et.  www.obu.edu.et.
²&3      College of Agriculture, department of Horticulture, Oda bultum University, Chiro,Ethiopia. P.O. Box    226, Ethiopia: 
                Co-author:  ridaabbareshad2007@gmail.com and mekotensaw35@gmail.com respectively 
Abstract
Purpose.Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is one of the most important root crops globally, contributing significantly to food and nutritional security. In Ethiopia, its production remains limited due to the scarcity of planting materials, inadequate access to improved and farmer-preferred varieties, and insufficient extension services. Evaluating improved orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) varieties under local agro-ecological conditions is therefore essential to identify high-performing and adaptable cultivars.
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the 2022/2023 main cropping season at Arbarakate and Bareda sites in eastern Ethiopia to evaluate the growth, yield, and quality performance of six OFSP varieties Kulfo (LO-323), Kabode, Dilla (Ukr/Eju-13), Alamura (Ukr/Eju-10), Naspot-12, and Naspot-13 alongside a local check. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Data were collected on major agronomic and yield traits, including vine length, tuber diameter, root number, tuber weight, total and marketable root yield, and harvest index.
Results:The results revealed that highly significant differences were observed among varieties for most of the studied traits. At Bareda, the Kabode variety recorded the highest mean total root yield (22.67 t ha⁻¹), while the local check produced the lowest (6.32 t ha⁻¹). At Arbarakate, the Kulfo variety gave the highest mean total root yield (17.2 t ha⁻¹), whereas the local check yielded the lowest (7.7 t ha⁻¹). Correlation analysis revealed that total root yield was strongly and positively associated with marketable tuber yield, average root weight, tuber diameter, and tuber mass per hill. The variation in performance across sites was likely influenced by differences in soil fertility and climatic conditions.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated significant genotypic variation among the evaluated OFSP varieties across the test environments. The Kabode and Kulfo varieties exhibited superior yield performance and adaptability, suggesting their potential for wider production in the western Hararghe zone. Further multi-environment evaluation and participatory variety selection are recommended to confirm their stability and farmer acceptability.