Effect of substitution of phosphorus through biofertilizers on the performance of potato

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted to study the “Effect of substitution of phosphorus through biofertilizers on the performance of potato” on sandy loam soil, low in organic carbon, low available N, medium available P and high in available K during the Autumn season of 2017. Four levels of phosphorus having 0%, 25%, 50% and 100% of recommended dose of P2O5 (RDP) in main plots and four levels of biofertilizers having soil application viz., Control, PSB, VAM and PSB+VAM were applied. Application of 100% of recommended P2O5 resulted in significant enhancement in growth parameters like leaf area index, plant height, haulm dry matter accumulation and yield characters like number of tubers per plant and total tuber yield over no phosphorus application whereas it was at par with 75% of recommended dose. Application of 100 per cent dose also resulted in higher net returns and benefit cost ratio. Among biofertilizers, the maximum values of growth and yield attributes were observed in dual inoculation of PSB + VAM while minimum values were associated with control. However, PSB + VAM combination was significantly better than control but statistically at par with sole inoculation of PSB and VAM. Highest net returns and cost benefit ratio was also obtained in combination of PSB and VAM.