EFFECTS OF CURED MUNICIPAL WASTE, SEASON AND VARIETY ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF POTATO (Solanum tuberosum L.)

A Field experiment was conducted at Kweredu, Mangu LGA, Plateau State, during 2023 wet and dry season to determine the effect of cured municipal waste and variety on the growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The treatments consisted of five cured municipal waste levels (0.0kg, 3.0kg, 6.0kg, 9.0kg and 12.0kg) and two varieties of potato (Nicola and Marabel), these were factorially combined and laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The results of the experiment revealed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) difference among the treatments used throughout the study period. The result further indicated that growing potatoes during the wet season was found to be significantly (P ≤ 0.05) better than the dry season in most of the characters studied. Variety on the other hand, the result showed that Nicola was proved to be statistically (P ≤ 0.05) better than Marabel in most of the characters studied irrespective of the season. The result also showed that application of 12.0 t/ha of cured municipal waste produced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) better than the other rates considered in all the characters observed irrespective of the variety and season of the study. The result of interaction revealed that growing Nicola variety during wet season with the application of 12.0 t/ha of cured municipal waste produced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) better than all the treatments combined in most of the characters observed throughout the study period. In conclusion however, season, variety and municipal had significant (P ≤ 0.05) effects on the growth and yield of potato. Based on the result of this study, application of cured municipal waste at the rate of 12.0 t/ha to Nicola variety irrespective of the season should be adopted by farmers in the study area for higher yield of potato.