Soil fertility management is one of the major strategies for improving potato
productivity in the highlands of south-western Uganda. Land belonging to potato
farmers is highly fragmented hindering sustainable potato production under
small-holder farming systems. Land fragmentation brings a major challenge to
small-scale farmers in soil fertility management, increasing costs of
production. However, identifying major soil nutrients limiting potato
production in the highlands of south-western Uganda is an avenue of applying
appropriate soil nutrients to improve
potato productivity without degrading the soils. It also assists farmers in
investing in the necessary soil nutrients and, hence reducing the costs of
production while improving potato productivity. The study indicated that soil
potassium was the most single significant soil nutrient limiting potato
productivity especially in the fields located on hilltops and far from
homesteads. Hence, it was imperative that farmers apply potassium containing
fertilizers to minimize potassium depletion but also increase potato
productivity. It was also important for farmers to always integrate disease
management with soil nutrient management for improved potato productivity.
Cite this paper
Muzira, R. , Basamba, T. and Tenywa, J. S. (2018). Assessment of Soil Nutrients Limiting Sustainable Potato Production in the Highlands of South-Western Uganda. Open Access Library Journal, 5, e4440. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104440.
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