Response of two potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plant varieties to different types of herbicides under field conditions

Abstract

The present study was aimed to study the response of two potato plant varieties to different types of herbicides in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). There were 8 treatment combinations consisting of two potato varieties (Marabel and Rumba) and 4 types of herbicides (Atrazine, Paraquat, a combination of Paraquat and Atrazine and control (without)) replicated 3 times. The result showed that variety had significant effect on the growth and yield of the potato plants. While variety Marabel yielded 2.71 kg/m², Variety Rumber yielded 0.93 kg/m². In addition, the herbicide type had significant effect on potato performance. Treatment with a combination of herbicides and Atrazine was significantly higher than Paraquat. Herbicides used did not have significant effect on establishment count (EC) at 4 WAP, number of leaves at all sampling dates, total number of tubers, number of ware of tubers, number of seed tubers and yield of seed tubers. There was significant interaction of variety and herbicides on number of leaves, plant height at 10 WAP, number of ware tubers, and number of seed, total yield and yield of ware tubers. There was no significant interaction of variety and herbicides on EC, number of ground stems, total number of tubers formed and yield of seed tubers. This result suggests that weed control with a combination of herbicides (Atrazine and Paraquat), and sole use of Atrazine enhanced the growth and yield of potato crop.