The Effects of Potassium Chloride Application Rates of Potato Growth, Weight and Yield in Saboti Sub County Kenya

Abstract

Irish potato is one of the major staple food crops, only second after maize in Kenya. The low yield being realized in potato production is as a result of inadequate and wrong choices of fertilizers usage and application as well as the use of uncertified planting materials. The purpose of the study was to assess potato growth, weight and yield response to the application of potassium chloride in Milimani Location, Saboti Sub-County, Trans Nzoia County. The specific objectives were to assess the relationship between potassium chloride application rates to the growth of Irish potatoes, evaluate the relationship between potassium chloride application rates to the weight of different sizes of the three potato varieties-Markies, Kenya Mpya and Sherekea- and compare the relationship between potassium chloride application rates to the yield of the three potato varieties. A review of the related literature understudy as presented by various researchers, scholars and analysts was done. The location of the study was in Milimani location, Saboti Sub – County, Trans- Nzoia County. A randomized complete block design experiment with three replicates was conducted. Data from the measured variables were subject to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine whether there was a significant difference between the variable means. The means were separated at (P<0.05) significant level using SPSS version 21. It was found out that there was a significant difference in yield and yield attributes. However, there were no significant differences in mean yield between the two sites of production. It was therefore recommended that the fertilizer industry should change fertilizer formulation; establish fertilizer blending plants and the ministry of agriculture should establish a fertilizer advisory service for farmers to boost harvest and incomes. It was too recommended that the fertilizer rate of 250 kg/ha be applied and Sherekea variety be used in Milimani Location, Saboti Sub-County.