Abstract

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is one of an important root crop produced in Dera and Libokemkem districts with cereal-based diets predominate. White fleshed sweet potato varieties are commonly produced in the districts; however, orange fleshed sweet potato varieties were not yet produced due to non-existence of adapted varieties and lack of vine or planting materials. With this problem, a study was carried out to evaluate and identify the best performing orange fleshed sweet potato varieties for their storage root yield and its attributes. The five orange fleshed sweet potato varieties were planted at two locations from Dera and Libokemkem districts using randomized complete block design in three replications with 40 plants per plot. The data were scored for storage root yield and agronomic traits for each variety across locations. The analysis of variances for each location and across locations showed significant varieties differences for most traits considered in this study. Varieties Kulfo, Kabode and Dilla were found to be in good performances. It is therefore; the current negligible production of orange fleshed sweet potato in these areas can be easily increasing through the use of these superior performed varieties. Thus, it is strongly recommended that seed productions and dissemination program for these varieties have to initiate in the study and similar agro-ecological areas.