COMPARATIVE YIELD OF FOUR SWEET POTATO (IPOMOEA BATATAS) CULTIVARS PLANTED IN SINGLE AND DOUBLE ROWS

Broomes, J.

COMPARATIVE YIELD OF FOUR SWEET POTATO (IPOMOEA BATATAS) CULTIVARS PLANTED IN SINGLE AND DOUBLE ROWS

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Descripción

A study was conducted in split-plot design to determine the effect of single- and double-row plantings on the yield of four sweet potato cultivars (local names: 'Manager's Pudding', 'Caroline Lee', 'CBS 49' and 'CBS 32') commonly planted on the estates of the Barbados Agricultural Management Company Ltd. Cuttings were established on raised beds 5.5 ft apart. Single-rows consisted of cuttings placed on the centre of the beds with a spacing of 1 ft intra-row. For the double-rows, cuttings were established on both sides of the bed with 1.5 ft between rows and 1 ft intra-row. Shortly after establishment, the sweet potato was sprayed with Fusilade® (Fluazifop-p-butyl) using the recommended rate for the control of grass weeds. Mono-ammonium Phosphate was manually placed 6 inches away from all cuttings, after they were well established, at a rate of 100 lb per acre. Yield data showed that double-row planting of 'Caroline Lee', 'CBS 49', 'Manager's Pudding' and 'CBS 32' resulted in 21.3%, 31.4%, 16.7% and 16.8% significant decrease in average weight/ tuber, respectively, compared to single-row plantings. The total weight of tubers/ hole also decreased from single- to double-row planting ('Caroline Lee' - 35.7%, 'CBS 49' - 44.7%, 'Manager's Pudding' - 38.5% and 'CBS 32' - 43.5%) due to increased competition for resources in the smaller inter-row space. Smaller tubers were obtained from double-rows. These are suitable for the average household purchaser while the larger tubers from the single-rows are ideal for processors. Data extrapolation showed that the total yield/ acre increased from single- to double-row planting for each cultivar. As one moves from single- to doublerow planting, the total number of holes per acre doubles resulting in the expected increase in total yield. Total yield per acre (kg) increased by 28.7% for 'Caroline Lee'; 10.5% for 'CBS 49'; 23% for 'Manager's Pudding'; and 13.0% for the 'CBS 32' cultivar.