Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, productivity and economics of rainfed potato in Meghalaya hills

The effect of variety and nutrient management on growth and productivity of rainfed potato was investigated. Kufri Megha and Kufri Giriraj increased plant height, stem number and stem girth, LAI, DMA, TBR and finally tuber yield by 12.7 and 6.1% over Kufri Jyoti. Application of 75% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) through chemical fertilizers along with 25% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through farm yard manure (FYM) and/or 100% RDF through chemical fertilizers recorded higher values of the above parameters and produced higher tuber yield (26.0 and 25.6 t ha⁻¹) than other treatments. Replacement of 50, 75 and 100% RDN through FYM decreased tuber yield by 9.1, 12.6 and 25.6% respectively. Plant height, number of stems m⁻², stem girth and LAI showed positive relationships with tuber yield. LAI, DMA, TBR, tuber yield and gross and net returns differed significantly due to interaction effect of variety and nutrient management. Kufri Megha with 75% RDF through chemical fertilizers and 25% RDN through FYM or 100% RDF through chemical fertilizers enhanced LAI, DMA and TBR that ultimately produced the highest tuber yield (27.3 t ha⁻¹) with maximum gross and net returns over others. Both the treatment combinations resulted in 74.6% increase in tuber yield over Kufri Jyoti (15.6 t ha⁻¹) at control. The results suggest growing of Kufri Megha with 75% RDF through chemical fertilizers and 25% RDN through FYM or with 100% RDF through chemical fertilizers for better growth, greater tuber yield and higher profit from potato in the north eastern hill region of India.