Comparative yield analysis of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) accessions under field and polysack cultivation technique.

Abstract

Globally, Ipomoea batatas serves as a key crop for ensuring food security, particularly for the lowincome population. Land scarcity is an inevitable social consequence of urbanization, posing a challenge for farmers in locating suitable areas for agricultural activities. Polysack cultivation technique has the potential to enhance food accessibility by efficiently using limited spaces in urban and rural areas. This study examined the comparative yield analysis of seventeen native I. batatas accessions with five improved varieties under traditional field method and polysack cultivation techniques. The experiment was carried out at the field and polysacks at Agriculture Research Station, Thelijjawila, according to a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Each replicate consisted of three plots in the field experiment and six sacks using the polysack method. Harvesting was done three months after planting. TJ1, TJ4, and TJ14 showed an increased yield in polysack cultivation compared to field cultivation, whereas seventeen accessions decreased the yield in polysacks. TJ20 and TJ19 recorded the highest significant yield in the field and polysack cultivation, respectively. TJ11 and TJ1 were the second-best accessions in polysack cultivation. This study revealed the best I. batatas accessions for the two different cultivation techniques, providing valuable insights for future agricultural practices.