Effect of planting density on growth and yield of VD1 and KLR3 sweet potato variety for leafy vegetable

Abstract

The study was conducted with 5 planting density treatments (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 plant/m²) on two varieties of sweet potato for leafy vegetables namely VD1 and KLR3 to determine the appropriate planting density for sweet potato as leafy vegetables in achieving the highest yield and economic efficiency. The experiment was arranged in the split-plot design with 3 replicates at the Center for Agricultural Research and Services (CARAS), the Faculty of Agronomy, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University in Summer - Autumn cropping season 2022. The data on growth and development, pests and diseases, yield, and economic efficiency was collected according to the National Technical Regulation on Testing for Value of Cultivation and Use of sweet potato varieties and Descriptors for Sweet Potato. Research results indicated that the best planting densities for VD1 and KLR3 varieties for good growth and development, less pests and diseases, high yield and economic efficiency were from 15 to 20 plants/m². Yield of VD1 variety reached 7.87 and 8.13 tons/ha and profit gained 63.9 and 58.5 million VND/ha/crop, respectively; similarly, KLR3 variety reached 7.89 and 7.48 tons/ha and profit gained 64.3 and 46.1 million VND/ha/crop. Planting density of 15 to 20 plans/m² was recommended for leafy vegetable sweet potato in Summer - Autumn crop in Thua Thien Hue province.