Integrated nutrient management with sulphur bearing fertilizer, FYM and crop residues in relation to growth and yield of potato

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and productivity of potato under different fertilizer management with particular reference to ‘S’ bearing fertilizer, FYM and crop residues. Maximum dry matter production (855 g/m²), tuber bulking rate (16 g/m²/day) and tuber yield (266 q/ha) were recorded at 100% of the recommended doses (N: P₂O₅: K₂O = 100: 100: 100 kg/ha) of N, P₂O₅ (through SSP) and K₂O in conjunction with 10 t FYM per hectare. Application of ‘S’ bearing fertilizer (SSP) improved the growth and tuber yield (9%) of potato as compared with the application of DAP. The maximum total uptake of nutrients (115.02 kg N, 25.31 kg P₂O₅, 249.11 kg K₂O and 16.67 kg S/ha) were recorded where the potato crop was fertilized with 100% of the recommended doses of N, P₂O₅ (through SSP) and K₂O. Any reduction in their recommended doses without application of FYM/crop residues depleted the soil fertility status. Better net production values (2.16 and 2.12) were recorded at 75% of the recommended doses of N, P₂O₅ (through SSP) and K₂O along with 10 t FYM/ha as well as in the treatment receiving 100% of the recommended doses of N, P₂O₅ (through SSP) and K₂O.