Effect of maize intercrop plant densities on yield and beta-carotene contents of orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes

Despite efforts to demonstrate the value of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) (Ipomoea batatas L.) and quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) in combating vitamin A and protein malnutrition, small land holdings by rural poor farmers still limit the crops’ overall production in Africa. As such, intercropping and optimum plant density in cropping systems will help farmers to improve productivity of the crop, and hence, improve household food and nutrition security. This study determined the effect of maize plant population, in a sweetpotato-maize intercrop, on yields and β-carotene content of two popular OFSP cultivars, Ejumula and NASPOT 9 O (Kabode). Each variety was intercropped with maize variety Longe 5, at three plant densities (i.e. 41,666, 55,555 and 88,888 plants ha-1), at Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Uganda. While 55,555 plants of each OFSP cultivar were used for both sole and intercrops, the sole maize plot was 44,444 plants ha-1. Maize and sweetpotato were harvested at 120 and 135 days after planting, respectively. β-carotene content and yield in sweetpotato roots were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by high maize density. Irrespective of maize density, NASPOT 9 O produced more root yields than Ejumula. Land Equivalent Ratios of >1.2 were obtained at maize intercrop densities of 41,666 and 55,555 plants ha-1.Keywords: Ipomoea batatas, land equivalent ratio, Zea may

Deploying nutritious climate-smart potatoes.

Poster prepared for a share fair, Addis Ababa, May 201

EFFECT OF MAIZE INTERCROP PLANT DENSITIES ON YIELD AND \u3b2-CAROTENE CONTENTS OF ORANGE-FLESHED SWEETPOTATOES

Despite efforts to demonstrate the value of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) ( Ipomoea batatas L.) and quality protein maize ( Zea mays L.) in combating vitamin A and protein malnutrition, small land holdings by rural poor farmers still limit the crops\u2019 overall production in Africa. As such, intercropping and optimum plant density in cropping systems will help farmers to improve productivity of the crop, and hence, improve household food and nutrition security. This study determined the effect of maize plant population, in a sweetpotato-maize intercrop, on yields and \u3b2-carotene content of two popular OFSP cultivars, Ejumula and NASPOT 9 O (Kabode). Each variety was intercropped with maize variety Longe 5, at three plant densities (i.e. 41,666, 55,555 and 88,888 plants ha-1), at Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Uganda. While 55,555 plants of each OFSP cultivar were used for both sole and intercrops, the sole maize plot was 44,444 plants ha-1. Maize and sweetpotato were harvested at 120 and 135 days after planting, respectively. \u3b2-carotene content and yield in sweetpotato roots were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by high maize density. Irrespective of maize density, NASPOT 9 O produced more root yields than Ejumula. Land Equivalent Ratios of >1.2 were obtained at maize intercrop densities of 41,666 and 55,555 plants ha-1.Malgr\ue9 les efforts visant \ue0 d\ue9montrer la valeur nutritionnelle en combinaison de la patate douce \ue0 chaire orange (OFSP) ( Ipomoea batatas L.) et du ma\uefs \ue0 grande valeur proteique ( Zea mays L.) dans la lutte contre la malnutrition li\ue9e au manque de la vitamine A et de proteine, les petits producteurs Africains continuent de limiter les rendements de leur cultures. A cet effet, l\u2019association des cultures doubl\ue9e d\u2019une densit\ue9 optimale des plants dans les systems de cultures, aiderait les producteurs \ue0 am\ue9liorer les rendements de leurs cultures et par consequent am\ue9liorer la qualit\ue9 de vie dans les m\ue9nages et assurer la s\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire. La pr\ue9sente \ue9tude a d\ue9t\ue9rmin\ue9 l\u2019effet de la densit\ue9 des plants de ma\uefs, dans une culture associ\ue9e avec la patate douce sur le rendements et la teneur en \u3b2-carotene de deux vari\ue9t\ue9s populaires de patate douce OFSP, Ejumula et NASPOT 9 O (Kabode). Chaque vari\ue9t\ue9 a \ue9t\ue9 plant\ue9e en association avec la vari\ue9t\ue9 de ma\uefs Longe 5, \ue0 trois diff\ue9rentes densit\ue9s (i.e. 41,666, 55,555 et 88,888 plants ha-1), et ceci \ue0 l\u2019Institut Zonale de Developpement et de Recherche en Agriculture de Ngetta en Ouganda. Pendant que la densit\ue9 55,555 plants de chaque vari\ue9t\ue9 de OFSP a \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9 dans la culture solitaire et en association, la culture solitaire de ma\uefs \ue9tait \ue0 44,444 plants ha-1. Ma\uefs et patate douce ont \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9colt\ue9s respectivement \ue0 120 et 135 jours apr\ue8s. La teneur en \u3b2-carotene et le rendement en tubercules de patate douce ont \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9duits de fa\ue7on significative (P<0.05) par une densit\ue9 forte de ma\uefs. Quelle que soit la densit\ue9 de ma\uefs, NASPOT 9 O a produit plus de tubercules qu\u2019Ejumula. Le ratio \ue9quivalent \ue9tait >1.2 pour une densit\ue9 de ma\uefs de 41,666 et 55,555 plants ha-1, en culture d\u2019association

System strengthening approaches for scaling up development outcomes from agricultural research. Knowledge sharing workshop. 13‐15 November 2018, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

CIP organized a workshop to share, review and analyze experiences and results from system strengthening approaches across the potato and sweetpotato programs in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique, as well as other initiatives that are working towards the same goal. The workshop brought together some fifty participants from Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique, together with CIP staff from its headquarters in Lima and the CIP Africa Regional Office, as well as a delegation from Irish Aid and other interested partners from West Africa