Phosphorous use efficiency of widely grown potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties in Ethiopia

Abstract

This proposal was initiated to assess the response of potato varieties (Dagim, Belete, Gudenie, Jalenie, Zengena, and Ater Ababa) to phosphorus application and use efficiency under screen house with plastic pots. There were seven phosphorous levels (150% recommended (3.9 g P pot-), 125% recommended (3.3 g P pot-), recommended (2.6 g P pot-), 75% of the recommended (2.0 g P pot-), 50% of the recommended (1.3 g P pot-), 25% of the recommended (0.7 g P pot-) and the control) per variety. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications with a total of 42 treatments at Adet Agricultural research center, Ethiopia. Most parameters studied significantly changed with varieties and P-rates. Belete variety and 2 g P pot-1 showed the highest values in soil available phosphorous (52.6 mg P kg-1 and 49.53 mg P kg-1, respectively,) and Belete variety and 3.9 g P pot1showed highest values in plant phosphorous concentration (3.48 mg g-1 and 3.98 mg g-1, respectively). The highest phosphorous uptake (PAE) (14.81 mg plant-1) was recorded in Belete variety. This variety could be considered as responsive cultivar. The highest phosphorous acquisition efficiency (PAE) (92.35 kg kg-1) was recorded in Belete variety, and phosphorous use efficiency (33.63 and 37.58 mg g-1) was recorded in Dagim and Ater Ababa varieties, respectively. Dagim variety can be used when external phosphorous applications become limited. Evaluation of the existing varieties of potato for their phosphorous use and uptake efficiency could potentially increase the future potato yield without excess P application