Harvesting and grading were done manually. The gradings
used in this experiment are recorded in Appendix 1. Information
on the cost of inputs was recorded during the trial.
 Figure 1 refers to the rainfall distribution pattern of Barbados.
Figure 2 shows the soil types in Barbados.

DISCUSSION
 The original values of the experimental data are recorded in
Table 2. The analysis of variance indicated no significant differ-
ences between blocks. However, significant differences between
treatments were established (Table 3).
 The most promising varieties resulting from the experiment
were 'Maris Piper,' yielding 10,308 kg/ha and 'Desiree' yielding
7,834 kg/ha. When the Duncan Test was performed, there was,
however, no significant difference between 'Desiree' and 'Maris
Piper'; but they were significantly different from other varieties.
(Table 4.) From the results, the group of 'promising varieties,'
'Kerrs Pink,' 'Pentland Crown,' 'Arran Banner,' 'Home Guard'
and 'Maris Peer,' showed no significant differences between
themselves or with 'Desiree.' The yields ranged from 6,417 kg/ha
to 4,475 kg/ha. The remainder of the varieties yielded less than
3,500 kg/ha, which is considered to be uneconomical for large
scale commercial production.
 During the trial there were no significant levels of disease or
pest infestation that could have affected the results. The rainfall
was unusually low, although plantings were in the high rainfall
area. Planting was delayed from November, when there is usually
rain, to December which is the beginning of the dry season.
 Table 5 indicates the marketable production of the trial.
'Desiree' and 'Maris Piper' showed 15.3% and 10.5% damaged
tubers respectively, although yielding the highest returns per hec-
tare. This was due to rotten tubers in the field as a result of the
late harvesting operations for these varieties. Midmore, in an ex-
periment in Yurimaguas (180m, 5S), obtained yields of 16.46
t/ha from the variety 'Desiree' when harvested at an earlier period
of 75 days. Hence, it is assumed that a greater yield could have
been obtained by the earlier harvesting of 'Desiree.'
 Table 6 shows the cost of production of the experiment. All the
activities carried out were recommended by the Ministry of
Agriculture. Planting and fertilising accounted for about 60% of
the total cost of $5,779.45/ha. Considering the total yield of
'Maris Piper,' 10,308 kg/ha, with marketable production of 9,215
kg/ha, the cost of production amounted to $0.63/kg, or
$0.29/lb.
 The Control of Prices (General Amendment No. 10) Regula-
tions, 1984, states that the wholesale price of potatoes should not
be greater than $0.99/kg (Appendix 2). This clearly indicates a dif-
ference of $0.36/kg between cost of production and wholesale price
on which the farmer can capitalise if the cost of production remains
static and the yield/ha increases. Thus, there is a good opportunity
for the rapid development of the potato sector in Barbardos.



CONCLUSION
 From this preliminary trial it is recommended to continue in-
vestigative research on 'Maris Piper' (producing 10,308 kg/ha)
and 'Desiree' (producing 7,834 kg/ha), which have appeared to
be the most promising varieties tested under Barbadian condi-
tions.
 The results also indicate that the second group of varieties,
'Keers Pink,' 'Pentland Crown,' 'Arran Banner,' 'Home Guard'
and 'Maris Peer,' which had significantly different yields than the
first group, but showed no significant difference within the same
group, should not be discarded, but could be considered for fur-
ther trials.
 Further experimentation on the first and second group of
varieties should involve mulching, spacing, fertilizer and


TABLE 2. Potato variety trial Mount Wilton total yield (kg) experimental data
(original values).

 TREATMENT Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Means
 Arran Consul 10.050 13.670 10.200 11.307
 Desiree 30.160 23.770 25.390 26.440
 Maris Piper 40.900 42.830 20.640 34.790
 Kerrs Pink 23.030 22.630 19.320 21.660
 Arran Banner 17.340 13.900 15.640 15.627
 Home Guard 15.020 9.990 21.450 15.487
 Pentland Cr 20.950 15.810 14.800 17.187
 Maris Peer 20.430 .000 24.910 15.113
 King Edward 4.860 2.520 2.290 3.223
 Pentland Ha 5.670 12.510 8.680 8.953

 TABLE 3. Analysis of variance, random, blocks.

 SOURCE S.S. D.F. M.S F.

 Blocks 53.643 2.000 26.822 .634
 Treatments 2166.116 9.000 240.680 5.692*
 Exp. Error 761.173 18.000 42.287
 TOTAL 2980.932 29.000

 *Significantly different


 TABLE 4. Duncan test: Potato variety trials at Mount Wilton.


 Kg/ha

 1. MARIS PIPER 10308
 2. DESIREE 7834
 3. KERRS PINK 6417
 4. PENTLAND CROWN 5092
 5. ARRAN BANNER 4630
 6. HOME GUARD 4588
 7. MARIS PEER 4475
 8. ARRAN CONSUL 3350
 9. PENTLAND HAWK 2653
 10. KING EDWARD 955


 TABLE 5. Potato marketable production with Grade A and B damaged
 in percentage


 VARIETY GRADE A GRADE B DAMAGED


 Arran Consul 60.40 33.30 6.30
 Desiree 71.50 13.20 15.30
 Maris Piper 54.20 35.20 10.60
 Kerrs Pink 60.70 29.60 9.70
 Arran Banner 59.80 27.90 12.20
 Home Guard 67.50 24.10 8.40
 Pentland Crown 66.60 25.50 7.90
 Maris Peer 54.00 31.20 14.80
 King Edward 10.70 83.40 5.90
 Pentland Hawk 51.30 38.50 10.20


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