Sweet Potato (Ipomia Batatus) Varieties Evaluation in Borana Mid Altitude

Abstract

Sweet potato is one of the most important root and tuber crop for food and feed value. Borana mid altitudes in general and abaya woreda in particular are among the important sweet potato growing regions in southern Ethiopia. However, seeds of improved sweet potato varieties are either unavailable or inadequate. Therefore, the objective of this research is to test a range of improved varieties under Borana condition to identify genotypes with relatively better performance. To this effect, six improved and recommended varieties of sweet potato (Awassa 83, Beletech, Belela, Temesgen, Kulfu and Tula) were brought from Awassa research center and tried for their adaptation at Abaya woreda samara site with local variety in RCBD with three replications in 2014 and 2015 years. The result showed that the local variety is superior in yield and yield components in both years. The local variety gives average marketable fresh yield 111ton ha-1 with a yield advantage of about 77 ton ha-1over the highest yielded improved variety, Awassa 83,which gives about 34 ton ha-1. Therefore it is concluded that the farmers of Borana mid altitudes can continue to produce their local variety until superior variety will be developed for their specific area. Cultivar collection and screening activities can be suggested to develop suitable varieties for the area.