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Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Timing and Inter-Row Spacing on Growth and Tuber Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Nadew Boto, Walelign Worku, Hussein Mohammed Beshir

Field experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer application timing and inter-row spacing on potato growth, yield and quality in Sodo Zuriya District, Southern Ethiopia, during main potato cropping season (February to June) of 2018. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. As main plot factor three N timing levels along with the control (once, twice, thrice and no ) and as sub plot factor row spacing with three levels (60 cm, 75 cm and 90 cm) were used. The analyses of variances indicated that most of the growth, yield component and yield parameters as well as nitrogen use efficiency of potato crop were significantly influenced by the main effects of N timing and row spacing. In addition, partial budget analysis showed that maximum net benefits and greater marginal rate of returns were obtained from investing in potato production with nitrogen application in three splits than others. Similarly, maximum net benefits and acceptable marginal rate of returns were obtained from investing in potato production using 60 cm row spacing. In general, in this study, applying nitrogen fertilizer in three splits and using 60 cm inter-row spacing performed better than other treatments in the specific study area.