Effect of balanced fertilization on yield, nutrients uptake and economics of potato (Solanum tuberosum) in alluvial soil

A field experiment was conducted at Bichpuri (Agra), Uttar Pradesh, during winter seasons of 2008–10, to study of effect of balanced fertilization on yield, uptake of nutrients and economics of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The experiment had 12 treatments which were laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications. Significant increases in tuber and protein yields were recorded with balanced use of nutrients over fertilizer state recommendation (SR) and farmer fertilizer practice (FFP) treatments. Use of application of 225 kg N + 150 kg P₂O₅ + 225 kg K₂O + 40 kg S + 2 kg B + 6 kg Zn/ha (T₁) not only enhanced potato tuber yield but also had pronounced effect on tuber dry matter yield. Tuber yield (31.01 t/ha) resulting from T₁ treatment was 40.6 and 35.0% higher than State fertilizer recommendation and farmer fertilizer practice respectively. Omission of nutrients caused tuber yield reductions by 10.5 (–P), 19.1 (–K), 7.5 (–S), 7.0 (–Zn) and 6.4% (–B) compared to T₁ treatment. Balanced use of nutrients (T₁) earned markedly higher net returns ( 105.5 × 10³/ha) and return/ invested (3.13) over SR (47.6 × 10³/ha) and 2.06) and FFP ( 54.9 × 10³/ha and 2.19). The highest uptake of N (142 kg/ha), P (17.2 kg/ha), K (137.2 kg/ha) S (17.9 kg/ha), Zn (214.5 g/ha) and boron (258 g/ha) was recorded with T₁ (225 kg N, 150 kg P₂O₅, 225 kg K₂O, 40 kg S + 2 kg B + 6 kg Zn) and minimum under SR (150 kg N, 100 kg P₂O₅, 100 kg K₂O/ha). The uptake of P, K, S, Zn and B was significantly reduced in the respective nutrient omission treatments.