Effects of Combined Chemical and Biofertiliser Application on Sweet Potato Growth and Yield

Due to its wide application in human food production and industrial uses sweet potato has a high economic value. The proper fertilization of the sweet potato is quite important and includes both inorganic and organic fertilisers. Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is gaining popularity as a functional food with increasing global demand because of its health benefits, thus there is a need to enhance on its production and quality. The effectiveness of applying biofertilisers in conjunction with chemical fertilisers and the effect of various beneficial bacterial strains on the Lembayung sweet potato variety was established in this study. A factorial experiment was established using five treatments which included two bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens), a commercial biofertiliser and chemical fertiliser. The experiment was conducted in RCBD with four replications. The results of the experiment revealed that the use of biofertilisers in combination with chemical fertilisers significantly increased the tuber yield, growth of the plants and resistance to disease as compared to the other treatments. The treatment that produced the highest tuber yield and growth was the treatment with the use of biofertiliser. The use of biofertilisers greatly reduced the incidence and severity of viral diseases thus revealing their role in disease suppression. This approach not only improves the quality of production, but also promotes sustainable farming, which is in line with the efforts of enhancing soil fertility and increasing production.