Number of Nodes and Part of Vine Cutting Effect on the Growth and Yield of Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) in Transitional Zone of Ghana
M. E. Essilfie *
College of Agriculture Education, University of Education, Winneba P.O.Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana.
H. K. Dapaah
College of Agriculture Education, University of Education, Winneba P.O.Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana.
J. W. Tevor
College of Agriculture Education, University of Education, Winneba P.O.Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana.
K. Darkwa
College of Agriculture Education, University of Education, Winneba P.O.Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Two field experiments were conducted at the Multipurpose crop nursery of the University of Education, Winneba, Mampong campus from May to September, 2013 and June to October, 2014 respectively to investigate into the effect of number of nodes (4, 5 and 6) and vine part (apical and semiwoody) on the growth and yield of sweetpotato. The results from both seasons showed that many of the characters measured increased with increase node number up to 6 nodes and with apical vine part. The apical vine cuttings established earlier than semiwoody cuttings in both seasons. Node numbers did not have significant effect on any of the yield characters measured although the 5 and 6 node cuttings gave higher marketable tuber weight per plot, tuber length and marketable tuber number per plot than the 4 node cuttings during 2014 growing season. The 5 node apical cuttings produced significantly higher vegetative biomass than 5 node semiwoody and the 4 and 6 node apical and semiwoody cuttings.
Keywords: Sweetpotato, apical vine cutting, number of nodes, semiwoody vine cutting