Optimization of integrated nutrient management for enhancing growth and tuber yield in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya (U.P.), India, during the Rabi season of 2018-19. The study was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The experiment comprised eight treatments, integrating different combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Among the integrated nutrient management practices under different treatments T1: Control, T2: FYM @ 30 t/ha) + bio-fertilizer (PSB), T3: poultry manure @ 5 t/ha + bio-fertilizer (PSB), T4: Vermi-compost @ 7.5 t/ha + bio-fertilizer (PSB), T5: FYM @ 10 t/ha + poultry manure @ 1.7 t/ha + vermi-compost 2.7 t/ha + bio-fertilizer (PSB), T6: recommended dose of nitrogen (150 kg/ha) 67% RDN through inorganic and 33% RDN through FYM + bio-fertilizer (PSB), T7: recommended dose of nitrogen (150 kg/ha) 33% RDN through inorganic and 67% RDN through FYM + bio - fertilizer (PSB) and T8: Farmer practices (through organic). The results indicated that the highest emergence percentage, plant height, number of haulms and leaves per meter, fresh and dry weight of haulms, as well as tuber yield of potato, were recorded under the treatment receiving the recommended dose of nitrogen (150 kg/ha), wherein 67% RDN was supplied through inorganic fertilizers and 33% RDN through FYM + bio-fertilizer (PSB).