IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2020) 11-2

Research article
erd

Growth and Yield Performance of Different Potato Varieties
under Upland Condition in Cambodia
KHEANG SONG
Graduate School, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

SOPHAL VAR*
Faculty of Agronomy, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Email:var.sophal@gmail.com

SAVRY POENG
Faculty of Agronomy, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

KIMYEE ORNG
Faculty of Agronomy, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

CHANTHA SENG
Faculty of Agronomy, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

SOPHOANRITH RO
Faculty of Agronomy, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

SIRANET ROEUN
Faculty of Agronomy, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

HONG CHEANG
Faculty of Agronomy, Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Received 12 March 2020

Accepted 1 December 2020(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract In Cambodia, potato is imported. Currently, potato has the fourth largest productionin the world cultivated in many countries even in semi-arid and tropical countries. Numerous
new and improved varieties were developed to sustain and maintain production systems.
Thus, performance evaluation of these varieties in Cambodia condition is important toimprove potato production in the country. The experiment was conducted from December
2016 to March 2017 by testing 8 different imported varieties (Tornado, Corodana, Georgina,Madeira, Jelly, Julkinka, Red fantasy and Sorentina) under upland climate of Cambodia. The
result showed that all varieties showed similar performance in terms of growth, but different
in yield components and yield. Tornado variety was most adapted and productive varieties
with an average yield of 23ton ha-1 followed by Madeira (19 ton ha-1) while Red fantasy had
the lowest production among the tested varieties under upland environment in Cambodia.
Keywords: Tornado, Madeira, Mondulkiri, upland, Cambodia.

INTRODUCTION
Potato, Solanum tuberusom L., is considered as an important source of carbohydrate and plays a keyrole for food security in many develop and developing countries (Scott et al, 2000). Thus, potato iscurrently the fourth largest production crop next after rice, corn and wheat (FAOSTAT, 2006). At
the present, potato is fast adapted and grown throughout the continents, though the crop prefers coolclimate (18 oC without chilled) follow by warm environment (Havetkort and Struik, 2015). Optimumyield, at least 20 ton per hectare, has been attained in most temperate regions with averagetemperature of around 18-20oC. High temperature, in the face of climate change, is one of limitingⒸ ISERD

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factors affecting potato production which is commonly found in most tropic and subtropics countries.
In Cambodia, where the average daily temperature exceeds higher than 28 oC, fresh potato isimported mostly from Vietnam, Thailand and China. A number of production problems that accountfor such low yield have been identified. The major concerning of low and poor production were lackof well adapted cultivars, unavailability and high cost of seed tubers, inappropriate agronomicpractices, diseases, insect pests, inadequate storage, transportation and marketing facilities (MAFF,2016). As potato production continuously expand throughout the world, lots of new improved
varieties have been bred and improved for different regions and countries. In connection with climatechange, several technology package and new cultivar are highly considered as keys to maintain theproduction and prevent potato farming from exposed to the threat. Thus, new cultivars that are more
resilient to high temperatures have been developed (Monneveux et al., 2014). Some of those varieties
were mainly breed in tropical countries (Muthoni and Kabira, 2015).
OBJECTIVE
The study was conducted to understand performance of different potato varieties planted in
Mondulkiri province, Cambodia.
METHODOLOGY
Experiment was carried out under field condition from December 2017 to March 2018 at Mondulkiri
province (12o28’27” , 107o12’33” E). The site was 710 meters above the sea level with average of26 to 30 oC and relative humidity of 70-90% upon the research conducted. Chemical and physical of
the field was described in Table 1. The trial was layout in randomize complete block design with 4replications. The treatment consisted of eight different imported potato varieties namely Tornado(IMP Potato group limited, Ireland) Coronada, Madeira, Goergina, Jelly, Red Fantasy, Jelly, Julinka,Sorentina (Europlant International, Germany).
Table 1 Soil physical and chemical properties analysis of experiment site
Soil Texture

ECpHPppm

Kcmolc kg-1

N%

SOM%

CEC
cmolc kg-1

ClaySiltSand

38.0

4.20

0.1

0.42

0.29

5.07

72.4

22.3

35.3

42.4

Class
Clay
LoamSource; Soil Laboratory, Faculty of Agronomy, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia

Trail was planted at density of 4.8 plants m-2 in plot of 6 meters long. Spacing of 70 cm between
row and 40 cm between plant. Each plot was fertilized with 80 kg N ha-1, 80 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 150 kg
K2O ha-1 at planting date. Addition of 40 kg N ha-1 and 100 kg K2O were applied at ridging (45 daysafter planting). Weeds and pathogens were controlled chemically at the manufacturer’s
recommended rate to prevent biotics damage. The plots were surface irrigated every 3 days interval.
Plant plants were harvested at 115 days from sowing. Growth and yield parameters were recorded.
Plant height was recorded at flowering stage while number of tuber per plant, weight per tuber,weight per plant and marketable yield were measure at harvest.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The result showed that all of the eight varieties reached its normal height and statistically similar to
one another (Pvalue<0.05) (Fig. 1). Lizana et al., (2017) explained that physical changing would notobserved when the potato was cultivated under similar or little higher temperature (28 oC) which was
about 30-47cm tall. The author also emphasizes that external factors such as high temperature(greater than 28 oC) would cause the change of the plant height.

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Fig. 1 Plant height at flowering stage of eight varieties
All of yield parameters were observed statistically different (Pvalue>0.05). In terms of yiedcomponent, Madeira, Julinka and Jelly had the highest number of tuber compared to Coronada andRed fantasy, but statistically similar to other three varieties (Fig. 2). Notably, the trial showed thatRed fantasy produced the lowest number of tubers (Fig.2). In addition, Red fantasy also produced
less weight per plant (less than 300 grams per plant) (Fig.3). However, similar result was recorded
for Sorentina variety. The highest tuber weight per plant was observed for Tornado variety which
could obtain about 700 grams followed by the second highest Madeira (about 600 grams per plant).
Other varieties like Coronada, Jelly, Julinka and Georgina was third and not significantly different
to one another (Fig.3).

Means within the figure followed by the same letter are not significantly different using LSD (0.05).

Fig. 2 Tuber produced per plant

Means within the figure followed by the same letter are not significantly different using LSD (0.05).

Fig. 3 Tuber produced per plantⒸ ISERD106

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In particular, Tornado, white flesh and red skin color, attained the highest yield (23ton ha -1). It
was commendably that different potato varieties result vary response to different growing conditionand production system (Masengesho et al., 2012; Gairhe et al., 2017). Gairhe et al., (2017) suggested
that improved potato varieties had different response to different field condition such as altitude, soil
type and ambient temperature. Author had also claimed that in warm and hot climate countries, mostpotato could grow well in upland rather than lowland areas, but not all improved varieties showedsimilar response or obtained higher yield.

Means within the figure followed by the same letter are not significantly different using LSD (0.05).

Fig. 4 Marketable yield obtain in the experiment
CONCLUSION
Our result suggested that all of the eight varieties had similar performance in terms of growth.
Majority of the tested varieties were less productive (less than 13 ton ha -1) which 20 percent lower
than the average of global yield. However, Tornado and Madeira showed outstanding performance.
Thus, Tornado, white flesh color and red skin, and Madeira, yellow flesh and skin color, were more
adapted and productive in Mondulkiri province, Cambodia. Despite the yield, most of potatoes
severely damage by diseases which literately susceptive for long-term production and suggested that
farmers need to purchase and used only certified seeds for the production. However, the price ofcertified seed would cost 3.00 USD/kg with that farmers need to invest 2,000 to 3,000 USD to hectare
cultivation. Thus, yield obtained should at least between 12 to 13 ton per hectare for economic benefit.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to express his sincere thankfulness and appreciation to KOPIA Cambodia
Center (2016-KHM-03), assistance funds, the Europlant International for the seed, GIZ for technicaladvice, my assistant; selected farmers for supporting and encouragement, key informants andinformation; your mighty support being my greatest source of motivation and inspiration.
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