1Central Potato Research Station, Jalandhar - 144003 (Punjab).
2Department of Soli Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221005 (V.P.).
In a low fertility alluvial soli, tuber yield of potato cv. Kufri Badshah increased by 67, 69 and 39 q ha−1 due to application of 80, 150 and 25 kg hal of phosphorus (P2O5), potassium (P2O5) and sulphur, respectively. Balanced fertilization of NPK increased the per cent dry matter and soluble protein in tubers, while decreased the total phenols free amino acids and reducing sugars (glucose + fructose) compared to unbalanced fertilizatlon. Application of sulphur generally increased the percent drymatter, soluble protein, free amino acids and total phenols, while decreased the reducing sugars. Minimum amount of amino acids coupled with low amount of reducing sugars in halvested potato tubers was obtained with balanced fertilization of NPKS. These tubers yielded light coloured acceptable chips on frying. However, the main effect of sulphur on chip colour was not significant. Balanced fertilization of NPKS tended to increase the content of elements Ca, Mg, S, Cu and Fe in tubers.
