Two experiments, each with 100 (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes, were planted to compare fall-planted (August 22, 1988) crop with spring-planted (March 14, 1989) crop and to identify high yielding genotypes for each planting. Significant variation for tuber yield, 90-100 days after planting, was observed in both experiments. The mean yield of spring planting (25.8 Mg/ha with a range of 9.8 to 49.5 Mg/ha) was significantly higher than mean yield of fall-planting (18.2 Mg/ha with a range of 8.5 to 30.2 Mg/ha). The five highest yielding genotypes in fall planting were: B-0245-15, B-0175-2, B-0242-2, Kennebec, and Norchip whereas the five highest yielding genotypes in spring planting were: B-0180-36, B-9792-88, B-0179-17, B9988-7, and Belchip.
An additional split-split-plot experiment with 4 replications was initiated March 14, 1989 to identify optimum rate of N fertilizer and spacing within rows. This experiment consisted of three Nitrogen levels (0, 125, and 250 kg/ha), three genotypes (Atlantic, Kennebec, and La Rouge), and two spacings between plants (10 and 20 cm). All plots received 120 kg P and 170 kg K/ha. Data showed that N rates of 125 Kg/ha and 250 kg/ha gave identical tuber yields (50 Mg/ha). Closer spacing of 10 cm within rows resulted in significantly higher tuber yield (46 Mg/ha) as compared to 20 cm spacing (33 Mg/ha).