The performance of Granola potato at four sites in the Highlands of PNG.

Abstract

Cultivar trials were conducted during September to December 1998 to compare the yield of three varieties of potato; Granola (ware), Sequoia (ware) and Kennebec (processing). The trials were conducted at four sites in the Highlands over an altitude range of 1700 - 2500 m.a.s.l. There was no G x E interaction for yield or any of the other parameters measured. There were significant (p<0.01) yield differences between sites. The cooler sites of Kotuni (1800 m), Tambul (2300 m) and lalibu (2500 m) yielded better, with the highest total yield (26.3 t/ha) obtained in Tambul and the lowest total yield (13.5 t/ha) from Keluwa (1700 m). Marketable yield was significantly (p<0.01) higher in Kotuni (18.2 t/ha), followed by lalibu (11.3 t/ha). The total yield of Granola (21.0 t/ha) was as good as Sequoia (21.6 t/ha) and Kennebec (20.6 t/ha). The yield of Kennebec was higher than that reported earlier. It was noted that Kennebec produced bigger sized tubers, resulting in more marketable yield.