Effect of boron and zinc application on growth and productivity of potato (Solanum tuberosum) at alluvial soil (Entisols) of India

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2015–16 and 2016–17 at Kalyani (Nadia), West Bengal, India, to determine the effect of boron and zinc on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under lower Gangetic plains of West Bengal. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 4 replications, having 7 treatments. Micronutrient-management practices could not significantly affected plant emergence of potato, and it was above 98.3%. Application of both zinc and boron improved the growth and yield of potato significantly. Zinc and boron acted synergistically in increasing the tuber yield. The highest total tuber yield (30.12 t/ha) of potato was recorded with foliar application of 0.1% boron + 0.1% zinc along with recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) of NPK. Soil application of only boron, only zinc and boron + zinc increased the total yield of tubers by 12.7%, 3.23% and 22.41%, respectively, over RDF of NPK only. The foliar application of only boron, only zinc and boron + zinc increased the total yield of tubers by 18.71%, 7.70% and 29.55%, respectively, over RDF of NPK only. The effect of boron in increasing tuber yield of potato was found more pronounced than zinc in our study experimental situation. Foliar application of B and Zn was found superior in increasing tuber yield to their soil application. The highest uptake of N, P, K, B and Zn were recorded with foliar application of B and Zn over RDF. Soil application of B and Zn significantly increased the B and Zn concentration in soil. Foliar application of B and Zn over RDF of NPK resulted in the highest net returns.