Evaluation of Biofortified Sweet Potato Varieties for Their Growth, Yield and Economic Performance under Assam Condition

Abstract

An on-farm trial under Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Baksa was undertaken to evaluate the performance of two biofortified sweet potato varieties (Bhu Sona and Bhu Krishna) against a check variety Dergaon Red. The trial was conducted in eight different locations of Baksa and Dhubri district of Assam following scientific cultivation practices. Assessing the novel varieties for performance and economic return were taken as primary objectives while designing the experiment. Randomised Block Design was used to lay out the design and statistical analysis of the growth and yield characters shows significant differences between the three varieties. The variety Bhu Sona exhibited the highest vine length (214 cm), tuber length (18.6 cm), tuber weight (152.3 g), and average yield (16.7 tonnes/ha).  In some significant yield characteristics like marketable tuber yield per plant and tuber yield per plant, the two biofortified varieties were at par with each other. And with respect to days taken for harvesting from planting, Bhu Sona and Dergaon Red were at par with each other with 109.3 days. The economic analysis reflected a maximum gross income of Rs. 253500 per hectare in Bhu Sona which was 26.8% more than the check variety. The variety Bhu Krishna also exhibited a 14% increase in gross return from the check variety. The trial indicated that the cultivation of varieties Bhu Sona and Bhu Krishna is feasible under Assam conditions contributing higher economic return to the farmers.