Effects of seaweed saps on soil health and productivity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2012–13 at Raipur to study the effects of seaweed saps on yield, nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and soil fertility status in Inceptisol of Chhattisgarh. Foliar spray was applied thrice at different concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 6.25, 7.5, and 10.0% v/v) of seaweed extracts, viz. Kappaphycus and Gracilaria. Foliar applications of seaweed extract significantly enhanced the yield, nutrient uptake and soil fertility parameters. The highest tuber yield was recorded with the application of 10% Gracilaria Sap + recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), followed by 10% Kappaphycus Sap + RDF extract resulting in an increase by 11.31 and 9.38% tuber yield, respectively comparedto the control (water spray +RDF). The highest NPK uptake by tuber and haulm were observed under 10% Gracilaria Sap + RDF. After the harvest of the crop indicated maximum available N (265.51 kg ha⁻¹) and available K (389.39 kg ha⁻¹) was observed under 10% Gracilaria Sap+ RDF. Higher values of available P (11.77 kg ha⁻¹) was recorded with 6.25% Kappaphycus Sap + 50% RDF.