1Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur-680 656, Kerala, India
2Division of Crop Production, Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Sreekariyam, Thiruvananthapuram-695 017, Kerala, India
*Corresponding Author: Jeena Mary, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur-680 656, Kerala, India, Email: jeena229@gmail.com
Online published on 10 July, 2023.
Potassium is a major nutrient needed by the crops including tuber crops. It is essential for tuber initiation and bulking process. Varietal differences in potassium uptake and utilization in many crops were reported. As many varieties of sweet potato are released so far, studies on understanding the variations in potassium accumulation and its influence on tuber yield are essential.
Field experiments were conducted during kharif and rabi seasons, 2021 with an objective to assess the seasonal influence and potassium nutrition [0 kg K2O/ha (K1), 50 kg K2O/ha (K2), 75 kg K2O/ha (K3) and 100 kg K2O/ha (K4)] on growth and tuber yield of five sweet potato varieties - four high yielding varieties (HYV) and one local variety [Bhu Krishna (V1), Sree Arun (V2), Sree Bhadra (V3), Bhu Sona (V4) and Kanjanghad Local (V5)]. There were 20 treatment combinations replicated thrice in a randomized block design.
Significantly higher tuber yield (17.01 t/ha) during kharif season was recorded by variety Bhu Sona. But during rabi season, Sree Arun was superior with a tuber yield of 23.92 t/ha. The potassium nutrition up to 75 kg K2O/ha increased the yield of sweet potato in rabi season. Interaction effect of two factors was also significant with respect to tuber yield, total chlorophyll content and tuber K content. Potassium harvest index (%) and potassium accumulation value (g/plant) also significantly varied between varieties and K levels.
Dry matter, Potassium, Sweet potato, Tuber, Varieties, Yield
