NOVA2515 Continues to Perform Strongly
HZPC’s hybrid potato variety NOVA2515 has shown exceptionally strong results during the Long Rains season trials of 2025 in Kenya. The variety was evaluated across several agro‑ecological zones to assess its performance under different levels of late blight pressure and varying input conditions.
NOVA2515 was compared with several local varieties, including Shangi, Wanjiku, Unica, Dutch Robjin, Sagitta and Challenger. Three fungicide treatments were tested: no spray, half spray, and full spray.
Strong performance under low‑input conditions
One of the most notable outcomes is that NOVA2515 consistently delivered the highest total yield and tuber numbers under no‑spray conditions. In seasons when late blight pressure is high, this natural resilience translates into a clear advantage for smallholder farmers who lack access to frequent fungicide applications.
Across all sites, the variety produced:
- high total tuber counts
- strong marketable yields
- vigorous crop stands
- uniform tuber size distribution
These results confirm the variety’s robust late blight tolerance, a crucial trait for farmers in East Africa dealing with unpredictable weather patterns and limited resources.
Consistent results at half fungicide spray
Even with a minimal fungicide programme, NOVA2515 continued to outperform all other tested varieties in total tuber numbers and overall productivity. Wanjiku and Unica followed as the next best performers, but NOVA2515 maintained a clear lead in yield consistency and robustness.
This positions the variety as a reliable option for farmers who apply fungicides only occasionally, an increasingly common practice due to cost constraints.
Full Spray Performance
Under full fungicide application, NOVA2515 remained among the top performers. While varieties like Wanjiku achieved slightly higher marketable yields in some locations, NOVA2515 continued to produce the highest number of tubers and remained competitive across all plots.
This confirms that its strength is not limited to low‑input systems, but also holds up in more intensive cultivation strategies.
A promising variety for the future
The conclusion of the trial report is clear: NOVA2515 is one of the strongest hybrid varieties tested to date in Kenya. Its combination of resilience, yield stability and adaptability across environments makes it an attractive choice for both smallholder and more advanced growers.
The variety offers:
- lower input requirements
- fewer fungicide applications
- strong tolerance to late blight
- high and stable yields
- suitability for diverse climatic zones
With these results, NOVA2515 strengthens HZPC’s mission to support farmers with innovative, reliable and sustainable potato solutions, helping build a resilient future for potato cultivation in Africa.