Dry matter production and NPK uptake by the potato variety Kufri Chandramukhi (Solanum tuberosum L.) in alluvial soil

Field experiment was conducted during 1973 on sandy loam alluvial soil (pH 8.2) at Jullundur (Punjab), to study the dry matter production and N P K uptake by the potato (cv. Kufri Chandramukhi) in relation to fertilizer treatments and growth periods. The peak growth period was from 40 to 70 days after planting when on an average 142 kg dry matter/ha/day was accumulated and 94 per cent of it was stored in the tubers. The N P K content of different plant parts, particularly of tops decreased with maturity. The uptake of N and K was maximum during 30 to 60 days of plant growth but that of P increased linearly with the time up to 80 days. The total uptake of N P K ranged from 57.0 to 140.2, 4.14 to 9.39 and 70.5 to 148.0 kg/ha respectively in different fertilizer treatments. The translocation of N P K to the tubers increased linearly up to 80 days. Nearly 71.4 to 75.3% total N, 82.3 to 86.3% total P and 71.3 to 80.4% total K was accumulated in the tubers in different treatments. The balanced application of 100 kg N+44 kg P+83 kg K/ha was the best.