EVALUATION OF ANCHOTE (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.) Cong) ACCESSIONS FOR THEIR GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCES UNDER DIFFERENT ALTITUDES IN SIDAMA REGION

Abstract

Among the most important root and tuber crops, anchote is one of the potential crops produced in the western and south-western parts of Ethiopia. It serves as a food, cultural, social, and economic crop for the producers. Due to limited research coverage and less attention to determining the growth and yield performance of anchote accessions, the production of anchote has not spread to other parts of Ethiopia. Therefore, the study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield responses of anchote accession grown at different altitudes in the Sidama region of Ethiopia from June to November 2021. Nine anchote accessions (Gimbi, Jimate, Degaga Didhessa, Jimma Arjo, Ale, Sheka, Sibu Sire1, Sibu Sire2, and Sibu Sire3) were sow in three locations representing different altitudes (1305 masl, 1835 masl, and 2504 masl). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Growth and yield data were collected following standard procedures. The results revealed that phenological parameters and growth performances (leaf area, leaf number, vine length, above-ground fresh and dry biomass) were significantly influenced by the main factors of accession, location, and their interactions. Days to 50% of flowering were affected by the main factors (accession and location), and vine number was affected only by location. The highest (92%) and lowest (58.7%) emergence percentages were obtained from Sheka accession at mid-altitude and Sibu Sire1 at Bilate, respectively. The largest (597.3 g) and the minimum (6.2 g) above-ground fresh biomass per plant were produced by accession Sibu Sire1 under Leku and accession Gimbi under Hula, respectively. The maximum (62.1 g) and minimum (33.6 g) above-ground dry biomass were produced by accession Ale under Leku and accession Jimate under Bilate. In the case of yield, yield-related parameters (root weight and diameter, total biomass weight, root yield, and underground dry root weight) of anchote accessions were significantly affected by accessions, location, and their interaction. Root number per plant was affected by accessions and location. Root diameter was affected only by accession. The highest storage root weight (522.3g) and total biomass (847 g) per plant were obtained from Degaga Didhessa anchote accession under Hula location. Whereas, the lowest storage root weight (94.6 gm) and total biomass (153 gm) were also recorded from Sibu Sire3 under Hula conditions. The highest yield (59.6 t/h)) was obtained from the anchote accession of Degaga Didhessa at the Leku location. The significantly lowest yield (12.3 t/h)) was recorded from Gimbi Anchote accessions under Bilate. Anchote accessions evaluated in this study showed a differential response to different locations that represented different altitudes. We recommended accessions of Degaga Didhessa, Sheka, and Sibu Sire1 that produced better storage root yield, high underground dry biomass content, root weight, and dry matter content across three locations that indicated good performance and adaptation. Those accessions that we recommend are suggested to be produced by farmers in the areas of Bilate, Leku, and Hula and related conditions in the Sidama region.