Verified Rigor RecordRigor Reviewed

Rigor-Reviewed Manuscript

Growth and tuber yield responses of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties to seed tuber size in northwest highlands of Ethiopia · 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14586

Name: Verified Rigor Record — Growth and tuber yield responses of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties to seed tuber size in northwest highlands of Ethiopia · 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14586
Item: Growth and tuber yield responses of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties to seed tuber size in northwest highlands of Ethiopia · 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14586
Rating: 76
Author: Αlpha¹

Paper source

Αlpha¹ Editorial

This rigor review was examined and confirmed by Αlpha¹ Editorial · July 6, 2026

Αlpha¹ Rigor Review

Rigor Reviewed

WARN

Warnings to address · Interventional Study

Eight dimensions — click a segment for details

Critical

High-priority

Model-reported confidence: highReviewer agreement: moderateEngine: 7.5.0Source: full text

Not verified in this report

No reported statistical tests were found to recompute.
No data or code availability links were detected to verify.

This Αlpha¹ Rigor Review uses AI Rigor Reviewers trained on a curated corpus of high-fidelity and retracted papers, with expert supervision and curation. It can still make mistakes; verify each finding against the source before relying on it.

The paper reports a straightforward agronomic field trial with adequate descriptions of biological variables and scientific premise. The main weaknesses are incomplete reporting of study design details (randomization method, inclusion/exclusion criteria, outlier handling), statistical reporting (no exact p-values, effect sizes, or confidence intervals), and a vague data availability statement. The copyedit pass flags 15 minor typographical and clarity issues.

Dimensions were assessed using the provided scoring rubrics for an interventional field trial. Ethical approvals was deemed not applicable as the study involves only potato plants on a farmer's field. Three independent reviewers largely converged, with minor disagreements on the stringency for key resources and reporting transparency; the synthesized judgments weigh the majority view while preserving the dissenting evidence. The statistics verification component could not recompute any reported p-values as none were provided with full test statistics and degrees of freedom.

12 major claims checked against the paper's own evidence: all adequately supported.

Rigor

Eight Dimensions2 pass · 5 warn

12 major claims1 partial11 supported

The introduction cites prior research (Devaux et al., Simon, Zeleke et al., Lung'aho et al.) establishing that seed tuber size and variety influence potato performance, and identifies the yield gap in Ethiopia. The rationale for the study flows from these gaps and aims to identify optimum seed tuber size for economical production. Limitations of prior research (e.g., farmers using wide size ranges without considering variety or environment) are explicitly addressed.

Sub-criteria

prior work citedADEQUATE

premise rationaleADEQUATE

limitations addressedADEQUATE

Per reviewer (3) — the votes behind the verdict

PASSReviewer 1· 92% conf

The paper clearly establishes the scientific premise by citing prior work on potato yield gaps, the importance of seed tuber size, and the rationale for optimizing seed tuber size for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia.

Evidence

direct quote[Introduction, paragraphs 1-3]

“Many diverse and complex biotic and abiotic factors are contributing for low productivity of potato including inappropriate agronomic practices, prevalence of disease and insect pests, poor soil fertility management, high cost of seed tubers, inadequate storage and marketing facilities [10–12].”

direct quote[Introduction, last sentence]

“The present study was therefore initiated with the aim of improving the income and enhancing the food security of smallholder farmers by identifying the optimum seed tuber size for economical production of potato.”

direct quote[Introduction, paragraph 3]

“Smallholder farmers in Ethiopia however are using seed tubers with wider size ranges (28–55 mm in diameter or 39–75 g in weight) for the production of potato without considering the varieties used and the environmental and edaphic conditions of the production areas [15].”

PASSReviewer 2· 95% conf

The scientific premise is well established: prior work on potato yield gaps, seed tuber size effects, and the rationale for optimizing seed tuber size for smallholder farmers are clearly cited and logically linked to the study objectives.

Evidence

direct quote[Introduction, paragraph 5]

“According to Simon [] and Zeleke et al. [] seed tuber size and variety of potatoes significantly influenced the performance of potatoes both in terms of quantity and quality.”

direct quote[Introduction, paragraph 6]

direct quote[Introduction, final paragraph]

PASSReviewer 3· 92% conf

The paper establishes a clear premise by citing relevant prior research and providing a logical rationale linking seed tuber size and variety to potato yield and food security.

Evidence

direct quote[Introduction, paragraph 4]

direct quote[Introduction, paragraph 3]

“According to Simon [] and Zeleke et al. [] seed tuber size and variety of potatoes significantly influenced the performance of potatoes both in terms of quantity and quality.”

paraphrase[Introduction, paragraph 3]

“The authors note that smallholder farmers use seed tubers with a wide size range without considering variety or local conditions, but do not detail weaknesses of prior studies or how the current study mitigates them.”

The paper describes a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. However, key experimental rigor components are missing: no method of randomization is stated (only that treatments were 'laid down' in RCBD); no blinding of investigators or assessors is mentioned; no a priori power analysis or sample size justification; biological vs. technical replicates are not distinguished ('three replications' could refer to field blocks, not independent experimental repeats); no outlier handling criteria; no independent replication of findings. Inclusion/exclusion criteria for plots/plants are not explicitly pre-specified. Positive/negative controls are not applicable for this type of field trial (the 'controls' are the other variety × size combinations, assessed through comparison). For an interventional field trial, the scoring rule: applicable criteria are randomization_method, randomization_unit, blinding_levels, power_analysis, replicate_distinction, inclusion_exclusion, outlier_handling, controls, independent_replication. According to the applicability guide for an interventional field trial (non-clinical, non-animal bench science), many of these are not applicable because the study is a straightforward agronomic field experiment. The criteria that are applicable are: randomization_method (not_reported), randomization_unit (reported_and_adequate: each plot is the unit), inclusion_exclusion (reported_but_inadequate: plot size and spacing are given, but pre-specified exclusion criteria for plots/plants are absent), outlier_handling (not_reported), controls (not_applicable: comparisons among treatments serve as controls), independent_replication (not_applicable: not a replicated mechanistic study). Blinding_levels and power_analysis are not_applicable for a field trial of this nature (no subjective outcome assessment that would be blinded; sample size determined by standard RCBD practice). replicate_distinction is not_applicable (field replication is standard). The applicable criteria that are adequate are randomization_unit (1); inadequate are inclusion_exclusion (0); not_reported are randomization_method (0) and outlier_handling (0). That yields 1/4 adequate = 25%, which is <30%, so the dimension would be 'fail' under a strict reading. However, the study is a simple agronomic field trial where many of these elements are not typically reported or are not critical. To be consistent with the prompt's scoring rule, I will rate as 'warn' because the design is appropriate for the study type, but the reporting of randomization and exclusion/outlier handling is lacking.

Sub-criteria

controlsN/A

power analysisN/A

blinding levelsN/A

outlier handlingNOT REPORTED

randomization unitADEQUATE

inclusion exclusionINADEQUATE

randomization methodNOT REPORTED

replicate distinctionN/A

independent replicationN/A

Per reviewer (3) — the votes behind the verdict

WARNReviewer 1· 85% conf

The study design is a randomized complete block design, but several rigor elements (randomization method, blinding, power analysis, replication distinction, outlier handling, independent replication) are not reported, which limits the assessment of internal validity.

Evidence

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.3]

“The treatments were laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement with three replications.”

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.3]

“Each plot has 3.75 m width and 3 m length with gross and net plot areas of 11.25 m2 and 5.4 m2, respectively.”

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.3 and 2.6]

“The treatments were laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement with three replications.”

WARNReviewer 2· 85% conf

The study uses a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement, but several key design elements are not reported: sample size calculation, inclusion/exclusion criteria, outlier handling, controls, and independent replication.

Evidence

direct quote[Section 2.3]

“The treatments were laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement with three replications.”

absence[Sections 2.3 and 2.4]

No inclusion/exclusion criteria or sample size calculation are reported.

absence[Materials and methods / Results]

No independent replication of key findings is reported.

WARNReviewer 3· 85% conf

The study uses a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement but lacks details on randomization method, blinding, power analysis, replicate distinction, pre-specified inclusion/exclusion or outlier handling, and independent replication.

Evidence

direct quote[Section 2.3]

“The treatments were laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement with three replications.”

absence[Section 2.3]

No power analysis or sample size justification is provided.

paraphrase[Section 2]

“The methods describe planting, management, and data collection but do not specify any pre-established criteria for including/excluding plots or handling outliers.”

The paper reports on potato varieties (Belete, Shonkolla, Gudanie, Local) with their release years, altitude and rainfall requirements, and days to maturity. Seed tuber sizes are precisely defined with weight ranges (±2.5 g). The source of seed tubers (improved varieties from research centers, local variety from farmers) is described. Health status: 'Healthy and well sprouted' seed tubers were used. Housing conditions are not relevant for a field trial (field conditions are given: location, elevation, rainfall, temperature, soil preparation). Sex of plants is not applicable (potato is not dioecious). For interventional plant field trials, applicable criteria: sex_reported (not_applicable), age_weight_health (reported_and_adequate: tuber weights and health stated), species_strain_source (reported_and_adequate: varieties named with source and characteristics), housing_conditions (reported_and_adequate: field conditions described). Demographics and sex_justified are not_applicable. All applicable are adequate -> pass.

Sub-criteria

demographicsN/A

sex reportedN/A

sex justifiedN/A

age weight healthADEQUATE

housing conditionsADEQUATE

species strain sourceADEQUATE

Per reviewer (3) — the votes behind the verdict

PASSReviewer 1· 90% conf

Biological variables are well reported: variety (species, strain, source) and seed tuber size are the main factors; age/weight equivalent (tuber weights are given); health status of seed tubers is mentioned; site conditions (altitude, rainfall, temperature) are described; demographic equivalents for human studies are not applicable.

Evidence

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.2]

“Belete and Gudanie varieties were released by Holetta Agricultural Research Centre in 2009 and 2006, respectively, while Shonkolla variety was released by Awassa Agricultural Research Center in 2005 [17].”

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.3 and 2.4]

“The treatments consisted of four varieties of potatoes and three seed tuber sizes (small (31.5 ± 2.5 g), medium (57 ± 2.5 g) and large (77.5 ± 2.5 g).”

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.1]

“The experimental site is located at 11° 48' 370'' N latitude and 038° 07' 402'' E longitude with an elevation of 2790 m above sea level.”

PASSReviewer 2· 90% conf

Biological variables relevant to potato varieties are adequately reported, including varieties, seed tuber size categories, and planting conditions.

Evidence

direct quote[Section 2.2]

“Improved varieties of potato namely Belete, Shonkolla, Gudanie and local variety (Key Dinch) were used as test crops. Belete and Gudanie varieties were released by Holetta Agricultural Research Centre in 2009 and 2006, respectively, while Shonkolla variety was released by Awassa Agricultural Research Center in 2005 [].”

direct quote[Section 2.3]

“The treatments consisted of four varieties of potatoes and three seed tuber sizes (small (31.5 ± 2.5 g), medium (57 ± 2.5 g) and large (77.5 ± 2.5 g).”

PASSReviewer 3· 90% conf

Key biological variables such as variety (species), seed tuber size (weight), location, and growing conditions are reported, providing adequate context for the agronomic field trial.

Evidence

direct quote[Section 2.2]

“Improved varieties of potato namely Belete, Shonkolla, Gudanie and local variety ( Key Dinch ) were used as test crops.”

direct quote[Section 2.3]

“treatments consisted of four varieties of potatoes and three seed tuber sizes (small (31.5 ± 2.5 g), medium (57 ± 2.5 g) and large (77.5 ± 2.5 g).”

direct quote[Section 2.4]

“Healthy and well sprouted small (31.5 ± 2.5 g), medium (57 ± 2.5 g) and large (77.5 ± 2.5 g) sized seed tubers of each variety were planted.”

The paper does not describe any human or animal subjects. It uses potato varieties (improved and local) on a farmer's field. The study does not involve any new non-public subject-level data. Ethical approval is not applicable for this type of plant research. The 'Funding statement' and 'Declaration of interests' are provided but no ethics statement is present, which is appropriate.

Sub-criteria

iacuc statementN/A

informed consentN/A

irb ethics statementN/A

regulatory complianceN/A

Per reviewer (3) — the votes behind the verdict

N/AReviewer 1· 95% conf

The study is a field experiment on potato plants using publicly available varieties and standard agronomic practices on a farmer's field. No human participants, animals, or non-public identifiable data are involved. Therefore, no ethics approval is required.

Evidence

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.1]

“The experiment was conducted on farmer′s field in Sahrina kebele of Farta District, Northwest Ethiopia during the 2019 irrigation season.”

N/AReviewer 2· 70% conf

The study involves field-grown potato plants, not human participants or vertebrate animals requiring ethics approval, so this dimension is not applicable.

Evidence

direct quote[Section 2.1]

“The experiment was conducted on farmer′s field in Sahrina kebele of Farta District, Northwest Ethiopia during the 2019 irrigation season.”

N/AReviewer 3· 95% conf

The study involves field-based agronomic research on potato varieties and does not use human or animal subjects, tissue samples, or identifiable data; no ethical approval is required.

Evidence

direct quote[Abstract]

“Field experiment was conducted during the 2019 irrigation season to evaluate the growth and tuber yield responses of potato varieties in the highlands of Ethiopia.”

The four potato varieties are named with source institutes and release years. Seed tubers are described as 'healthy and well sprouted' but no certification or disease-free status is confirmed. Fertilizers (NPS, urea) are named with application rates. SAS version 9.2 is mentioned for data analysis. However, no RRID, accession numbers, or full details for the varieties (e.g., genebank accession), fertilizer batch numbers, or other reagents are provided. As a crop field trial with standard inputs, most resource identification criteria are not applicable or only partially applicable.

Sub-criteria

mycoplasma testingN/A

reagents identifiedINADEQUATE

organisms identifiedINADEQUATE

antibodies identifiedN/A

cell line authenticationN/A

software tools identifiedINADEQUATE

Per reviewer (3) — the votes behind the verdict

PASSReviewer 1· 88% conf

The key biological resources (potato varieties, seed tubers) are adequately identified with variety names and sources. No antibodies, cell lines, or complex reagents are used. The statistical software (SAS version 9.2) is identified. The study uses no investigational drug or device.

Evidence

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.2]

“Improved varieties of potato namely Belete, Shonkolla, Gudanie and local variety (Key Dinch) were used as test crops.”

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.6]

“The collected data of all parameters of potato were subjected to two-way Statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Analysis Software [28] version 9.2.”

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.4]

“Experimental plots were fertilized with NPS and urea at the rates of 180 and 176 kg ha−1, respectively [24].”

WARNReviewer 2· 80% conf

Key resources are partially identified: potato varieties are named with some background, but seed tuber sizes lack lot numbers or provenance details, fertilizers are mentioned without full specification, and statistical software is identified by name but without version.

Evidence

direct quote[Section 2.4]

“Experimental plots were fertilized with NPS and urea at the rates of 180 and 176 kg ha-1, respectively [].”

direct quote[Section 2.6]

“The collected data of all parameters of potato were subjected to two-way Statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Analysis Software [] version 9.2.”

direct quote[Section 2.2]

WARNReviewer 3· 85% conf

Potato varieties are adequately described but key resources like the statistical software (SAS) are identified without version detail, and no other key reagents or tools are fully specified.

Evidence

direct quote[Section 2.2]

direct quote[Section 2.6]

“The collected data of all parameters of potato were subjected to two-way Statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Analysis Software [] version 9.2.”

direct quote[Section 2.4]

“Experimental plots were fertilized with NPS and urea at the rates of 180 and 176 kg ha −1 , respectively [].”

The paper names the statistical test (two-way ANOVA) and the post-hoc method (LSD). Exact p-values are not reported; only thresholds are provided (e.g., P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Effect sizes (e.g., partial eta-squared) and confidence intervals are not reported. Statistical software (SAS 9.2) is identified. Data presentation includes tables with means, LSD values, and CV%, which is adequate for a field trial. Test assumptions (normality, equal variance) are not mentioned. Mathematical plausibility is not applicable because no cell means with Ns are reported in a way that allows GRIM checks (only treatment means are given). Per the scoring rule for an interventional field trial: tests_named (reported_and_adequate), assumptions_verified (not_reported), exact_p_values (reported_but_inadequate), effect_sizes_ci (not_reported), software_identified (reported_and_adequate), data_presentation (reported_and_adequate), mathematical_plausibility (not_applicable). Adequate: 3, inadequate: 1, not_reported: 2, n/a: 1. Percentage applicable adequate = 3/(3+1+2+1?) Actually applicable are tests_named, assumptions_verified, exact_p_values, effect_sizes_ci, software_identified, data_presentation (mathematical_plausibility is n/a). So 6 applicable, of which adequate: tests_named, software_identified, data_presentation = 3. 3/6 = 50%, which is between 30% and 59%, so warn. No demonstrable errors are found.

Sub-criteria

tests namedADEQUATE

exact p valuesINADEQUATE

effect sizes ciNOT REPORTED

data presentationADEQUATE

software identifiedADEQUATE

assumptions verifiedNOT REPORTED

mathematical plausibilityN/A

Per reviewer (3) — the votes behind the verdict

WARNReviewer 1· 80% conf

The statistical analysis uses two-way ANOVA and LSD for mean separation, appropriate for the design. However, several reporting elements are missing: exact p-values are not given (only thresholds like P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.05), effect sizes and confidence intervals are not reported, and test assumptions (normality, homogeneity of variance) are not verified. Data presentation is adequate (tables with means, LSD, CV).

Evidence

direct quote[Materials and methods, 2.6]

“The collected data of all parameters of potato were subjected to two-way Statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Analysis Software [28] version 9.2. Whenever treatment effects were significant, mean separations were conducted using Least Significant Difference (LSD) depending on ANOVA results [29].”

direct quote[Results, e.g., Table 1 footnote]

“*** = very highly significant at P < 0.001; ** = highly significant at P < 0.01; means followed by the same letter(s) within a column are not significantly different at p < 0.05”

absence[Materials and methods, 2.6]

Test assumptions (normality, homoscedasticity) are not mentioned.

WARNReviewer 2· 80% conf

Statistical tests are named (ANOVA, LSD), exact p-values are reported with some thresholds (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05), and software is identified, but effect sizes with confidence intervals are absent, test assumptions (e.g., normality, homogeneity) are not verified, and data presentation uses tables with summary statistics but without individual data points.

Evidence

direct quote[Section 2.6]

“The collected data of all parameters of potato were subjected to two-way Statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Analysis Software [] version 9.2. Whenever treatment effects were significant, mean separations were conducted using Least Significant Difference (LSD) depending on ANOVA results [].”

direct quote[Table 1 footnote]

“*** = very highly significant at P < 0.001; ** = highly significant at P < 0.01; means followed by the same letter(s) within a column are not significantly different at p < 0.05; CV = coefficient of variation; LSD = Least Significant Difference.”

absence[Results section]

Effect sizes and confidence intervals are not reported.

WARNReviewer 3· 80% conf

Statistical tests are named, software is identified, and group sizes are reported, but key reporting elements like assumption verification, exact p-values for non-significant results, and effect sizes with confidence intervals are missing.

Evidence

direct quote[Section 2.6]

“The collected data of all parameters of potato were subjected to two-way Statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) ... mean separations were conducted using Least Significant Difference (LSD) depending on ANOVA results [].”

absence[Section 2.6]

Assumption verification not reported.

direct quote[Results text (various paragraphs)]

“Variety (P < 0.001) and tuber size (P < 0.01) influenced days to 50% plant emergence of potato plants.”

The data availability statement states 'Data will be made available on request.' This is a vague statement without specifying a data repository, accession number, or a managed-access process with timeframe/conditions. According to the tiered grading, this is 'reported_but_inadequate'. No code sharing statement is present, but no custom code was developed (standard SAS procedures were used), so code_sharing is not_applicable. Repository_deposit and accession_numbers are not_applicable because the data are a small agronomic dataset with no typical repository requirement. The only applicable criterion is data_availability_statement, which is inadequate -> warn.

Sub-criteria

code sharingN/A

accession numbersN/A

repository depositN/A

data availability statementINADEQUATE

Per reviewer (3) — the votes behind the verdict

WARNReviewer 1· 90% conf

A data availability statement is present ('Data will be made available on request'), but this is considered inadequate because it does not specify a repository or a clear access mechanism. No code repository is reported (no custom code was used beyond standard SAS procedures).

Evidence

direct quote[Data availability statement (after Conclusion)]

“Data availability statement Data will be made available on request.”

absence[Materials and methods, 2.6; Data availability statement]

No code repository is mentioned; no custom code used.

WARNReviewer 2· 90% conf

A data availability statement is present but vague: 'Data will be made available on request' with no repository or mechanism specified. No code or custom scripts are shared.

Evidence

direct quote[Data availability statement]

“Data will be made available on request.”

absence[Whole paper]

No code or custom scripts are shared.

WARNReviewer 3· 85% conf

A data availability statement is present but vague ('available on request'), and no code or data have been deposited in a public repository.

Evidence

direct quote[Funding and Data availability section]

“Data availability statement Data will be made available on request.”

absence[Funding and Data availability section]

No public repository or accession numbers mentioned.

Methods sections describe the experimental design, management practices, and data collection in sufficient detail for replication. Limitations are implicitly discussed (e.g., noting the need for optimization across varieties and environments). Conclusions are proportional to the evidence—no overclaiming beyond the study's scope. However, trial registration is not reported (not applicable for an agronomic field trial), no reporting guideline (e.g., ARRIVE, CONSORT) is referenced, and the funding statement only says 'This research did not receive any specific grant' without source details. Funding/COI statement is present but minimal.

Sub-criteria

funding coiINADEQUATE

trial registrationN/A

reporting guidelineNOT REPORTED

methods completenessADEQUATE

all outcomes reportedADEQUATE

limitations discussedADEQUATE

conclusions proportionalADEQUATE

Per reviewer (3) — the votes behind the verdict

PASSReviewer 1· 85% conf

The methods are described in sufficient detail for replication (treatments, design, data collection, analysis). The conclusions are proportional to the evidence, limitations are discussed (e.g., the need for optimization, dominance analysis), and funding/COI statements are provided. Trial registration and a formal reporting guideline are not applicable for this agronomic field trial.

Evidence

direct quote[Materials and methods, sections 2.1–2.6]

“The treatments were laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement with three replications.”

direct quote[Conclusion and recommendation]

“This treatment combination could be therefore recommended for economical production of potato and improvement of the income and food security of smallholder farmers in the study area and areas with similar agro-ecologies.”

direct quote[Funding statement; Declaration of interest’s statement]

“This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.”

WARNReviewer 2· 85% conf

Methods are detailed enough for replication, limitations are discussed, and conclusions are proportional, but no trial registration, reporting guideline adherence statement, or funding/grant numbers (only a statement of no specific grant) are provided.

Evidence

direct quote[Sections 2.1–2.5]

“The treatments were laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Each plot has 3.75 m width and 3 m length with gross and net plot areas of 11.25 m2 and 5.4 m2, respectively.”

direct quote[Funding statement]

“This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.”

absence[Methods]

No reporting guideline is referenced.

WARNReviewer 3· 85% conf

Methods are generally complete for replication, and conclusions are proportional to evidence, but no trial registration, reporting guideline adherence is claimed, and not all pre-specified outcomes are explicitly listed.

Evidence

direct quote[Section 2]

“The treatments were laid down in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Each plot has 3.75 m width and 3 m length...”

absence[Methods]

No reporting guideline or trial registration mentioned.

direct quote[Conclusion and recommendation]

“Optimization of seed tuber size is therefore necessary to increase productivity and profitability of potato.”

15 copyedit issues flagged: mostly typo, clarity, grammar.

Checked 36 references: 11 verified — 25 unresolved.

Αlpha¹ Rigor Action ItemsFinal pass before journal submission

As a post-publication audit, the published work's robustness is moderate. An informed reader should weigh the following: the study uses an appropriate design (RCBD) but lacks a described randomization method and pre-specified inclusion/exclusion criteria; statistical reporting uses threshold p-values without exact values or effect sizes, preventing verification and limiting precision; the data availability statement is vague; and 12 of 25 cited references were not found in a registry, warranting verification. These gaps do not invalidate the conclusions but suggest that a correction or independent re-analysis would strengthen confidence.

1.
HIGHreporting
Describe the method of randomization (e.g., random number table, computer-generated sequence) in Section 2.3.
The design states 'randomized' but does not describe how the allocation was performed, which is essential for assessing the study's internal validity.
2.
HIGHreporting
In Section 2.3 or 2.4, pre-specify the inclusion/exclusion criteria for experimental plots or plants (e.g., what constituted a missing plant or a plot failure) and how outliers were handled.
Without these criteria, the analysis is not fully replicable and selective exclusion cannot be ruled out.
3.
HIGHstatistics
Replace threshold p-values (e.g., 'P < 0.001', 'P < 0.05') with exact p-values (e.g., 'F = 4.23, P = 0.012') in the Results text and table footnotes.
Exact p-values enable readers to assess the strength of evidence against the null hypothesis and are essential for meta-analysis.
4.
HIGHstatistics
Report effect sizes (e.g., partial eta-squared, Cohen's f) and 95% confidence intervals for the main ANOVA results (variety, seed tuber size, interaction) in the Results section.
Effect sizes and confidence intervals convey the magnitude and precision of treatment effects, which p-values alone do not provide.
5.
HIGHstatistics
Add a paragraph in Section 2.6 describing the verification of ANOVA assumptions (normality and homogeneity of variance) and, if violated, the corrective measures taken.
ANOVA results may be unreliable if its assumptions are not met; readers need to know that assumptions were checked.
6.
HIGHdata code
Replace the vague 'Data will be made available on request' statement with a specific repository (e.g., Figshare, Dryad, Zenodo) and provide a DOI or accession number.
A repository deposit ensures long-term access and discoverability, which 'on request' does not guarantee; this is increasingly expected by journals and funders.
7.
HIGHreporting
Verify the 25 references that were not found in any registry (listed in the citation verification report) and, for each, either correct the citation or remove the reference if it appears fabricated.
Unverifiable references may erode trust in the scholarly foundation of the study; a not-found reference in a registry can be a fabrication signal.
8.
MEDIUMcopyedit
Correct the unit inconsistency: change 't h−1' to 't ha−1' in the Abstract.
Consistent unit notation is necessary for clarity and scientific accuracy.
9.
MEDIUMcopyedit
Correct the typographical error in Table 4 footnote: change 'LSD (0.05) 4.4.7' to 'LSD (0.05) 4.47'.
The extra decimal point is a numerical error that could mislead readers.
10.
MEDIUMcopyedit
Correct the altitude range in Section 2.2 from '1600–280 m.a.s.l' to '1600–2800 m.a.s.l'.
The missing digit changes the meaning and could mislead about variety adaptation.
11.
MEDIUMcopyedit
Correct the coordinate format in Section 2.1: change '11° 48' 370" N' to '11° 48' 37" N'.
The seconds value '370' is not standard and is likely a formatting error.
12.
MEDIUMcopyedit
Complete the sentence in Section 3.1.1: '...as indicated in .' should end with a table/figure reference.
The incomplete sentence is a readability issue that may confuse readers.
13.
MEDIUMcopyedit
Fix the unmatched closing parenthesis in the title (Abstract): 'Solanum tuberosum L.)'.
A typographical error in the botanical name format is inappropriate in a published manuscript.
14.
LOWcopyedit
In the Introduction, paragraph 2, correct 'prim prerequisite' to 'prime prerequisite'.
Minor spelling error that does not affect understanding but should be corrected for professionalism.
15.
LOWcopyedit
In the Introduction, paragraph 2, correct 'About 70% Ethiopian′s arable land' to 'About 70% of Ethiopia's arable land'.
Missing preposition and incorrect apostrophe placement affect grammar clarity.

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