SERKALEM ESHETU G/WOLD2026-03-302021https://etd.hu.edu.et/handle/123456789/1406Sweetpotato is one of the potential root and tuber crop playing major role in food security due to its high yielding and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. However, various constraints like biotic and abiotic factors reported for the low productivity of the crop. Therefore, the study was designed to evaluate sweetpotato varieties morpho-physiological characters under different irrigation interval in shade house condition at Hawassa, Ethiopia from October to March, 2019/20. The treatment were comprised of a factorial combination of three sweetpotato varieties (NASPOT 12 O, Kulfo and Dilla) and four irrigation intervals (daily, 7 days, 14 days and 21 days) in complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Data on morpho-physiological and yield parameters were collected. The result revealed that, main effect of varieties and irrigation interval has a significant effect on vine length, leaf temperature and vine fresh weights. Leaf number, leaf area, chlorophyll a, b and total (TC), maximum quantum yield, proline content, photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomata conductance, IWUE, RLWC, tuber fresh weight, total biomass and tuber number were significantly influenced due to interaction effect of two main factors. Most of parameters were significantly reduced with increased irrigation interval except Proline content and leaf temperature. Maximum tuber fresh weight (700 g) was recorded from NASPOT 12 O as compared to Dilla (533.33 g) and Kulfo (233.33 g) varieties. In the case of physiological response NASPOT 12 O treated with daily irrigation gave maximum concentration of chlorophyll a, b and total (TC), Photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate and stomata conductance in leaf as compared to other varieties. The maximum proline content was observed from variety “NASPOT 12 O” with 21 days irrigation interval whereas; the minimum was from all varieties with daily, seven and fourteen days irrigation which was statistically similar. Dilla and NASPOT 12 O varieties had better relative leaf water content as irrigation interval increases but variety Kulfo show strong reduction. It can be concluded that, Variety “NASPOT 12 O” was considered to be more tolerant as compared to other varieties. This is, therefore, NASPOT 12 O with 7 days irrigation interval recommended and in areas where moisture is a limiting factor NASPOT 12 O varieties with 14 days irrigation interval might be recommended for small scale farmers. Consequently, further research is needed for morphological and physiological responses under different varieties and water stress under open field condition before a generalized conclusion can be drawn.en-USVarietiesirrigation intervalsweetpotatomorphological and physiological responseThesis