Optimization of Seed Tuber Size and Intra-row Spacing on the Enhancement of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Productivity in North Mecha District, Northwestern Ethiopia: Dataset

Afield experiment was conducted at Koga Irrigation Scheme during irrigation season 2021 with the aim of identifying appropriate seed tuber size and intra-row spacing for high productivity. The treatments consisted of four levels of seed tuber sizes in gram (25-50, 50-75, 75-100, 100-125)with three levels of intra row spacing (20, 30, and 40cm) using randomized complete block design with three replication. Days to 50% flowering and 90% maturity, plant height, all yield and yield components were affected by the main factors of seed tuber size and intra-row spacing.The results of the present study showed that almost all the tested phonological, growth parameter and most yield parameters were influenced by the main factor of seed tuber size and intra row spacing, on dates to 50% flowering, days to 90% maturity, plant height, average tuber weight, tuber number per hill, total tuber yield, average tuber yield per hill, large size-tuber yield, medium sizes-tuber yield.
The highest marketable tuber yield (28.98t/ha) of Belete variety were recorded from the treatment combination of 75-100g x 40cm of seed tuber size and intra row spacing. On the other hand, the lowest marketable tuber (17.56t/ha) yields were obtained from 25-50g x 20cm treatment combinations. Similarly, The highest total tuber yield (33.27 and 33.47t/ha) were recorded from 100-125g seed tuber size and 20cm intra row spacing whereas lowest (27.83 and 28.65t/ha) recorded from 25-50g seed tuber size and 40cm intra row spacing respectively.
The correlation analysis showed that the marketable tuber yield was significantly and positively correlated with main stem number, plant height, average tuber weight, medium-sized tubers large-sized and total tuber yields whereas, significantly and negatively correlated with very small-sized tuber and unmarketable tuber yield. And the partial budget analysis showed that large seed tuber size (75-100g) with 40cm intra row spacing determination gave the maximum net benefit (219734.7Eth-Birr/ha) with an acceptable level of marginal rate of return (274.13%). whereas the lowest net benefits (115002Eth-Birr/ha) obtained from small seed tuber size (25-50g) with 20cm intra row spacing treatment combination. However, from the treatment combination medium seed tuber size (50-75g) with 40cm intra row spacing which gives second highest net benefit (198412.3Eth-Birr/ha) and the highest marginal rate of return (394.02%). Based on the finding of present study, medium seed tuber size (50-75g) with 40cm intra row spacing can be recommended for the economical production of Belete potato variety at Koga Irrigation Scheme and areas with similar agro-ecology. However, the experiment was conducted in one specific location and for only one production season and one year, it recommended to repeat the experiment for more locations in order to generate a more reliable and sustainable result.