Performance evaluation of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. LAM) in different irrigation regimes using a drip irrigation system

Abstract

Results revealed that agronomic characteristics of sweet potatoes, such as length of vine and number of leaves, obtained a significant result at 2 months after treatment (2 MAT), 3 MAT and 4 MAT. Sweet potatoes under rainfed conditions, Treatment 1 (T₁), managed to yield a considerable number of tubers (21,428.57 kg/ha) but the treatments with irrigation, T₂ (75% of evaporation), T₃ (100% of evaporation) and T₄ (125% of evaporation) produced significantly higher yield (39,523.81kg/ha, 40,952.38 kg/ha and 41,428.57 kg/ha, respectively). However, irrigation regimes at different stages mostly did not significantly affect other parameters, such as the diameter of leaves and the number of branches.  A comparison of the means for yield under treatments with irrigation obtained a comparable result.  Hence, T₂ (75% of evaporation) is recommended as the basis for weekly irrigation. T₂ obtained the highest water productivity of 8.73 kg/cu-m (irrigation and rainfall). There was a more or less 100% increase in yield if supplementary irrigation was provided. The study suggested that supplementary irrigation using drip irrigation could improve the present sweet potato farming situation in Isabela, considering its potential to sustain farming during dry seasons and drought.