Abstract
Appropriate plant establishment techniques are essential for successful crop growth and yield. Cutting characteristics are important factors that may affect yield and yield components. The effects of cultivar (Kudadie, Bareda and Awasa-83), planting position (horizontal and vertical), type of planting material (terminal vine cuttings with and without leaves) and cutting length (20, 25 and 30 cm) on the number and yield of tubers were studied in Ethiopia at Awasa and Melkassa. The objective of the study was to identify cutting characteristics for better plant establishment and consequently for higher tuber yields. Cultivar Kudadie had the highest total and marketable tuber yield and cultivar Awasa-83 the lowest, at both locations. The horizontal method of planting resulted in the highest total and marketable tuber yield at locations. Cutting length (20, 25 and 30 cm) did not affect tuber number and yield, except for the number and yield of small tubers at both locations. The 30 cm vine cuttings produced the highest number of small tubers at both locations. Generally tuber numbers tended to increase when the leaves were retained on the cuttings.
