Participatory on-farm selection of sweetpotato varieties in western Kenya

Sweet potato production in western Kenya is constrained by widespread use of low yielding and late maturing traditional varieties. Studies conducted at several sites in Kenya between 1994 and 1996 identified some potential varieties for production in different sweet potato growing agro-ecologies in western Kenya. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of the selected varieties under farmer management conditions. Four sweet potato varieties Mugande, SPK013, SPK004 and Kemb 10 were evaluated by farmers at four clusters of trial sites between 1997 and 1999. Information on yield, taste and farmer acceptance was obtained at each trial site. Varieties Mugande, SPK013 and Kemb 10 performed better than the local check 'Mar Ooko' at all sites. Mugande and Kemb 10 had a wide adaptation while SPK013 yielded well in the Upper Midland high potential areas of western Kenya. Key Words: Adaptability, farmer acceptance, Ipomea batatas, western Kenya (African Crop Science Journal 2001 9(1): 41-49