Environment and the Growth of the Potato (Solanum Tuberosum) in Tropical East Africa

Abstract

THE potato S. tuberosum, which was possibly introduced into east tropical Africa as a subsidiary food crop for Europeans, is now for many Mricans an appreciated source of food and for 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 day length and high air and soil temperatures. Moreau [I], 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.