Effect of micro-irrigation and nutrient management on yield and quality of potato in acid alfisol of Himachal Pradesh

Present study was carried out at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, to study the effect of micro-irrigation and nutrient management on yield and quality of potato in an acid Alfisol of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment consisted of three drip irrigation levels (0.4 PE, 0.6 PE and 0.8 PE), three fertigation levels (50% RDF, 75% RDF and 100% RDF) and Recommended practice. The results revealed that yield and quality parameters of potato were higher at drip irrigation level of 0.6 PE and fertigation level of 75% RDF. There was significant increase in the yield of potato with increase in fertigation levels. Fertigation level of 75% RDF recorded significantly higher marketable tuber yield which was 22 per cent higher than that obtained with 50% RDF. Drip irrigation and fertigation was better than the recommended practice as combination of irrigation level of 0.6 PE and 75% RDF recorded higher yield and better quality parameters, thereby saving 25 per cent of NPK.