Roots and tubers
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Browsing Roots and tubers by Author "East African Agricultural Research Institute Amani"
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Item Environment and the Growth of the Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) in Tropical East Africa(1943) Glover, J.; East African Agricultural Research Institute AmaniThe potato S. Tuberosum, which was possibly introduced into east tropical Africa as a subsidiary food crop for Europeans, is now for many Africans an appreciated source of food and others a cash crop of importance. Though a successful introduction, the yields of tubers have generally been lower than those obtained in temperate zones. Some have suggested that this might be due to the detrimental effect of short daylength and high air and soil temperatures. Moreau [1], in a survey of the climatic background of the commercial potato-growing areas in E. Africa, mainly in the cooler zones above 4,000 ft. on the mountain, masses, concluded that 'given good husbandry, excellent crops of S. Tuberosum can be raised in parts of tropical Mrica, even though air and soil temperatures seem unfavorably high. The short days seem to be of no practical importance.' He stresses, however, that his data are scanty.Item The Yield and Maturity Period of Potatoes (Solanum Tuberosum) at Low Latitudes(1943) Moreau, R.E.; East African Agricultural Research Institute AmaniVery definite opinions have been expressed that the potatoes of commerce are long-day plants. For example, Bald [I] writes that commercial potatoes 'produce a full crop where they receive more than 13 hours of full daylight each day. Many will produce 50 to 75 percent. Yield under short-day conditions, but never their maximum crop.' Even more emphatic statements have been made by Driver [2]: 'It has always been difficult, if not impossible, to grow potatoes in tropical countries. This is because potatoes have been bred for and become adapted to the light conditions of temperate regions and form tubers only when the daylight period reaches a certain minimum. In tropical regions, the daylight period does not exceed twelve hours, and this is insufficient to initiate tuber development.' Because short day-length is one invincible circumstance of tropical agriculture, and because the question is fundamental to a policy of potato selection for the tropics, the evidence I. for such statements as the foregoing needs dose examination. It is of course obvious at the outset to anyone aware of the East African potato-growing industry that the last part of Driver's statement does not apply to that country.
