Growth and Yield of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.)) as Influenced by Irrigation Interval and Variety in Sokoto Sudan Savannah, Nigeria

Abstract

Field trial was conducted at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Fadama farm Sokoto during the 2015 dry season at Sokoto to determine the influence of irrigation interval and variety on the growth and yield of sweet potato in Sokoto Sudan savannah, Nigeria. Treatments consisted factorial combination of four irrigation intervals (7, 14, 21 and 28 days), two local varieties of sweet potato (Ex-Kano and Ex-Zaria) laid out in a split plot design, replicated three times. The results showed that 7 days irrigation interval significantly (P < 0.05) influence growth, yield and yield components of sweet potato. The highest numbers of leaves per plants were recorded at 7 days interval whereas 28 days interval recorded fewer number of leaves per plant. Irrigation and variety had no significant effect on Leaf area index and vine length.  Number of tubers per plant, marketable tubers and vine weight were significantly higher at 7 days irrigation interval. On the other hand, the highest number of non-marketable tubers was recorded at 28 days irrigation interval, similarly the lowest number of non-marketable tubers was produced at 7 days irrigation interval. Ex-Zaria Significantly (P < 0.05) differed from Ex-Kano with higher number of tuber per plant, Marketable tuber and tuber yield ha-1. Therefore 7 days irrigation interval and Ex-Zaria cultivar is recommended for Sokoto and other areas with similar climate.