EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOST APPLICATION ON POTATO TUBER YIELD AT BULE DISTRICT, HIGHLAND OF GEDEO ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia is known for its high potato production potential though the average productivity compared to other countries is low. Various factors were contributed for its low productivity including soil acidity and unbalanced soil nutrient concentrations which are serious challenges to small scale farmers for crop production in the highlands of Ethiopia. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of vermicompost on potato tuber yield at Bule District, Highland of Gedio Zone, Southern Ethiopia. The treatment consisted of four treatment levels of vermicompost (0 tha 1, 2.5 tha 1, 5 tha 1, and 7.5 tha 1) laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The following data was collected and discussed. The highest and significant days of maturity (121.67 days), leaf number (78.33), plant height (78.78cm), tuber number (11.12), total tuber yield (33.23 tha 1, and tuber dry matter percentage (30.26%) were recorded at maximum level application of vermicompost (7.5 tha 1) in this study. Therefore, 7.5 tha 1 of vermicompost should be considered for potato production at the study area as it was effective on potato yield particularly highest tuber dry matter percentage. Keywords: Lime, Potato tuber, Vermicompost, Yield