The effects of sprouting agents and environmental conditions on the sprouting of potatoes (Solannum tuberosum)

Author

Mudoti, Tinapi. M

Title

The effects of sprouting agents and environmental conditions on the sprouting of potatoes (Solannum tuberosum)

Abstract

Irish potato production in Zimbabwe is low under smallholder farming sector due to high cost of synthetic plant growth regulators. The main aim of this study was to assess a natural organic bio-stimulant that is effective and able to be used in future as a plant growth regulator among other synthetic plant regulators. This was done by examining the effect of giberellic acid, calcium carbide, aloe vera and environment in a four-week period. The findings were obtained by measuring sprouts length, diameter, sprouting percentage and number of sprouts per tuber in a complete randomized design with a 2x4 factorial arrangement. The trial had 4 treatments in continuous darkness and 4 in diffuse day light environment. It was replicated twice to make a total of 16 treatments for both light and darkness. Data was collected in the second and fourth week. Under continuous dark conditions, giberellic acid, aloe vera, calcium carbide and control recorded 90%, 65%, 45% and 8% sprouting percentage respectively. Sprout lengths were 10.5mm, 4.3mm, 5.5mm, and 0.36mm respectively. Under diffuse light conditions, the results were 20%, 25%, 5% and 0% respectively. Sprouts length in dissenting order of giberellic acid, aloe vera, calcium carbide and control under diffuse light conditions were 3.3mm, 1mm, 0.5mm and 0,5mm respectively. Among these, aloe vera data was statistically significant with p-value of (p<0.05). The results were analysed using Genstat 18th Edition for analysis of variance (ANOVA). From the data collected, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in different sprouting agents and environment on potato sprouting. The interaction of factors on sprouting percentage, (A and B) was (P<0.05) meaning that the interaction of sprouting agents and environment was statistically significant.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Irish potato

Sprouting agent

Bio-stimulant

Growth regulators

Supervisor

N/A