Investigation of compost × fertilizer interactions in sweet potato grown on volcanic ash soils in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

Authors

  • S.R. Preston Food Crops Unit, Division of Primary Industry, Wabag, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea

Keywords:

Sweet potato, Volcanic ash soils, Papua New Guinea, Compost, Fertilizers

Abstract

Large quantities of organic matter are traditionally used in sweet potato mulch mounds on volcanic ash soils in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Two trials investigated compost x fertilizer interactions using a 24 factorial combination of compost (C), urea (N), triple superphosphate (P) and potassium chloride (K). At Taluma (altitude 2570 m) there was a highly significant (P < 0.01) positive C x K interaction in addition to positive effects of C, N and Pon tuber yield. At Kandep (2350 m) there was a significant (P = 0.05) negative C × N × K interaction, in addition to positive effects of C and P and a negative effect of N on yield. The occurrence of consistent compost × fertilizer interactions, whether positive or negative, would have implications for the development of subsistence agriculture in PNG.

How to Cite

Preston, S. (1990). Investigation of compost × fertilizer interactions in sweet potato grown on volcanic ash soils in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Tropical Agriculture, 67(3). Retrieved from https://journals.sta.uwi.edu/ojs/index.php/ta/article/view/1784

Issue

Section

Research Papers