Effect of different levels of fertilizer and mulching materials on growth, yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Cum Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, I.G.K.V. Raipur, Chhattisgarh during the 2019-2020 Rabi season to investigate the "Effect of different levels of fertilizer and mulching materials on growth, yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L)" The experiment was carried out under split plot design with four replications. There were two different fertility levels in the main plot. F1 (75% NPK) and F2 (100% NPK). Whereas sub plot had five different mulch treatment M0 (no mulch), M1 (paddy straw mulch), M2 (black polyethylene mulch), M3 (woven mulch) and M4 (silver mulch). The goal of this study is to define the possible outcome of different types of mulches influencing parameters on plant growth and yield. The application of 100% N,P,K was most suitable for providing better performance to plant emergence, emergence percent, number of shoots and number tubers and grade wise tubers yield. Among the different mulches were evaluated woven mulch was recorded for maximum yield of tuber (25.9 t/ha) followed by black polyethylene mulch (24.9 t/ha). While, lowest no mulch (20.9 t/ha). Quality parameters such as specific gravity, haulm dry matter content, tuber dry matter content, dry weight of tuber and total yield of tuber were found to be higher in woven mulch. While, lowest in no mulch. The interaction effect of this two combinations recorded significant maximum tuber yield (28.10 t/ha) and maximum net income (3837034.35) were observed that the application of 100% NPK with woven mulch. The present study also found that potato crop should be planted on 100% N,P,K with woven mulch or 100 % N,P,K with black polyethylene mulch for higher tuber production.