Effect of Intra-Row Spacing and Land Preparation Methods on Yield and Yield Components of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) in Mari Mansa District, Southwest Ethiopia

Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) is an important but underutilized indigenous root crop in Ethiopia with high potential to address food, feed, and nutritional security. There is a lack of research-based recommendations regarding land preparation methods for anchote. This study determined the optimal intra-row spacing and land preparation methods to enhance anchote productivity in Mari Mansa district, southwestern Ethiopia during the 2022 main cropping season. A factorial experiment comprising four intra-row spacings and three land preparation methods was conducted using randomized complete block design with four replications to assess the performance of Sheka anchote accession. Emergence percentage, vine internode length, leaf number, vine length, marketable fresh root yield, total storage root yield, days to 50% emergence, and flowering were significantly affected by the main factors. Leaf area, root length, and storage root diameter were significantly influenced by the interaction. The highest values for vine internode length, leaf number, vine length, total fresh biomass, marketable root yield, and root diameter were obtained from seeds planted at 20 cm intra-row spacing on the ridged beds. Conversely, the lowest values were recorded with flat surfaces and 5 cm spacing. This study reports that anchote seed sown on ridge at wider intra-row spacing (20 cm) can give a higher marketable yield, more vine growth, and stronger root characteristics compared with the one sown on a flat surface with narrower spacing. However, as this is the first study regarding land preparation methods for anchote, further research across different locations and seasons is recommended to validate the current findings.