Effects of calcium nitrate levels and soaking durations in cocopeat on the growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) apical rooted cuttings

This study evaluated the effects of treating cocopeat with calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) at different soaking durations on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Apical Rooted Cuttings (ARCs) growth and yield parameters. A greenhouse pot experiment was carried out Climate Water Smart Agriculture Centre Egerton University, Kenya. An air-dried 1.5 kg per treatment, treated using five (12, 24, 36, 48 72 hours) × four levels Ca(NO3)2 (0, 60, 100 150 g) soaked in 15 litres water. Soil untreated were used as positive negative controls, respectively. The treatments arranged a completely randomized design three replicates. results showed that there no significant (P>0.05) interaction effect duration for number branches normalized difference vegetative index. main g gave highest average (16.13), NDVI (0.89) plant height (73.51 cm) followed by Ca(NO3)2. Soaking 36 hours economically produced parameters 12.75 61.46 cm an height, Significant (P<0.001) observed all mini-tuber 464.67 plant-1 tubers 21.67 plant-1. Therefore, to treat is recommended higher ARCs