TITLE:
Effect of Tillage Systems and Vine Orientation on Yield of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.)
AUTHORS:
I. Chagonda, R. F. Mapfeka, T. Chitata
KEYWORDS:
Tillage System, Vine Orientation, Sweet Potato, Mound, Ridge
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.21,
October
23,
2014
ABSTRACT: In Zimbabwe sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) production is practiced under different tillage systems with varying vine orientations, which contribute to variable yields. Limited research on yield loss due to these different practices is available despite that the majority of farmers are growing sweet potatoes to sustain their livelihoods. A field study was carried out at Midlands State University in the 2013/14 rainy season, to determine the effect of tillage systems and vine orientation on yield of sweet potato. A 2 × 3 factorial treatment structure in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications was used. Tillage systems had two factors (ridge and mound) and three vine orientations were used (horizontal, fold and loop). Data on storage root length, storage root diameter and storage root weight was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 5% significance level. There was no interaction (p