Effect of Three Different Planting Patterns on the Yield of Four Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] Cultivars

In 1995 a study was conducted in split-split-plot design to determine the effect of single, double, and equilateral planting configurations with a single and double recommended rate of fertilizer (NPK), would have on the yield of four sweetpotato cultivars. TU-1892, Jewel, TU-82-155, and Georgia Jet were planted on a raised shaped bed 2 ft wide. Fertilizer was banded in the center of the bed and plants were then placed 6 inches away on both sides of this band for the double and equilateral configurations and on one side for the single configuration. Plants were spaced 12 inches apart within rows and the rate of fertilizer used for both single and double rows was the recommended rate for single rows. All plots were side dressed with an additional 80 lbs/acre of K at the time of flowering. Marketable yield data showed that by doubling the recommended rate of fertilizer yield increased for all cultivars which ranged from 26%-41% for single, 35%-88% for double, and 64%-104% for equilateral configurations, respectively. The results also indicated that net returns for TU-1892 was 217%, Jewel 136%, TU-82-155 203%, and Georgia-Jet 171%, for double and equilateral configurations, respectively, when the rate of fertilizer was doubled.