Effect of Potassium and Nitrogen Nutrition on Potato Growth and Yield Under Varied Levels of Application

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2014 at College of Agriculture, Hassan, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore to study the Effect of nitrogen and potassium nutrition on potato yield, under varied levels of application. There was positive interaction between N and K. At each level of N, increasing levels of K application increased the tuber yield in potato at harvest. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and twelve treatment combinations including 3 fertilizer levels (75, 100 and 125% N and K). Potassium and N application improved tuber size by increasing the large and medium grade yield and decreasing the small sized tuber. Maximum yield of 23.3 t ha-¹ was obtained when N and K was applied @ 125% N and K kg ha-¹ along with 0.5% ZnSO₄ + 0.2% Borax @ 45 DAP against a tuber yield of only 18.8 t ha-¹ with 75% N and K kg ha-¹ N and K application.