Yield and Yield Components of Leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum L) as Influenced by Levels of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Population Density at Areka, Southern Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of intra-row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer rates on yield, yield components and bulb quality of leek at Areka Agricultural Research Centre, Woliata Zone. Treatments comprised of five nitrogen levels (0, 69, 92,115 and 138 kg ha-1) and three intra row spacing levels (5 cm, 10 cm and 15 cm)which were laid out in factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications. Carentan Giant leek variety was used for the experiment. Data were collected on plant height, leaf number, leaf length, pseudo-stem length shaft diameter fresh weight dry matter content, marketable and unmarketable and total yield(t/ha) The result revealed that the main effects of nitrogen rates and intra row spacing had significant effects on non marketable pseudo-stem, total yield, total marketable pseudo-stem number and fresh weight. There was no statistical difference (p<0.05) on plant height, leaf number, leaf length leaf width, shaft diameter dry matter content due to treatments. The result showed that interaction of nitrogen rates and intra row spacings was not significantly (p<0.01) influenced in all parameters. Specifically, both marketable and total yields showed increasing trend with increase in nitrogen rates where the highest total marketable yield (46.68 t ha-1) and total yield (48.63 t ha-1) were recorded at the rate of 138 kg N ha-1and intra row spacing5cm which was 39.16(t/ha) obtained Regarding the N fertilization, extended days to physiological maturity was recorded with nitrogen application rate up to 115 kg N ha-1. The results of the experiment suggested that the leek variety carentan giant responded well to the application of nitrogen fertilizer rates .In conclusion, application of 138 kg N ha-1 nitrogen and intra row spacing of 5 cm was found to be promising for yield of leek