Potato yield response to tillage practices and inorganic potassium application in South Western Uganda

Abstract

This study examined the effects of minimum and conventional tillage practices and potassium levels on potato yield in South Western Uganda. Researcher and farmer managed trials were set at KaZARDI and Kariko for three seasons. Varying rates of potassium fertilizer (100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 kg ha-1) were applied in a split plot arrangement with tillage practices as main plots and K rates as the subplots of a randomized complete block design with three replications. Potato growth and yield data was analysed using R-studio version 4.2.0. The findings were that application of 200 kg K ha−1 significantly (P <0.001) increased plant height, the number of tubers per plant, and overall yield per hectare by 12.5%, 27.5% and 21.7%%, respectively. The highest marketable tuber yield achieved was 26.4 t/ha under conventional tillage, compared to 23.3 t/ha under minimum tillage. The interaction between tillage practices and potassium levels was statistically significant, with traditional tillage showing a stronger response to fertilizer application than minimum tillage. Although minimum tillage resulted in a lower yield, it is cost-effective, with a benefit-cost ratio of 3.1.