Effect of Nitrogen and Potassium Levels and Split Application on Growth, Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Soil Fertility, and Economics in Potato

DOI: 10.22161/ijeab.103.31

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted at the Plasticulture Development Farm, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, India over three consecutive years to evaluate the impact of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertigation levels and split applications on potato growth, yield, nutrient uptake, soil fertility, and economics. The experiment comprised three levels of N and K (including a control with 100% RDF through soil application) and three split application schedules (4, 6, and 8 splits), using sprinkler irrigation on ridge beds. The results indicated that applying 100% RDN and K through fertigation (F3) significantly improved plant height, number of tubers per plant, and average tuber weight. The split fertigation schedule (S3) consistently recorded higher tuber yield, nutrient uptake, and soil fertility levels. The highest marketable tuber yield (439.4 q/ha) and total yield (458.5 q/ha) were achieved under treatment F3, while treatment S3 closely followed with 443.5 q/ha. Economic analysis revealed maximum net returns of ₹273,652/ha (F3) and ₹267,326/ha (S3) with B: C ratios of 3.36 and 3.44, respectively. These findings suggest that fertigation using sprinkler systems with appropriate N and K levels and optimized split applications can significantly enhance potato productivity and profitability in water-limited regions.

Keywords:
Potato, fertigation, tuber yield, Nitrogen and Potassium

Article Info:
Received: 10 Apr 2025; Received in revised form: 09 Jun 2025; Accepted: 15 Jun 2025; Available online: 21 Jun 2025

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