Flowering and Seed-Setting Studies in Livingstone Potato (Plectranthus esculentus N.E. BR.) in Jos-Plateau, Nigeria

Abstract

An investigation was conducted in Kuru (Lat. 09044’N; Long. 08047’E and Alt. 1350 m asl.) on the Jos-Plateau, Nigeria to study the flowering and fruiting behavior of Livingstone potato (Plectranthus esculentus). The treatment consisted of three local cultivars namely Ryiom, Longat and Bebot laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Results obtained indicated that Livingstone potato cultivars produced flowers from 158-215 Days after Planting (DAP). The number of branches, nodes, flowers and inflorescences per plant were significantly higher in Longat (p<0.05) than in Ryiom, while cultivar Bebot maintained an intermediary position in most parameters tested. Flowers dried up without fruiting or seed-setting in all cultivars probably because of the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Determination of these factors and how to overcome them should form the focus of subsequent research.