Assessment of zinc application on yield, quality, productivity and profitability of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) 

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Potato Research Station, S.D. Agril. University, Deesa during 2014-15 and 2015-16 to assess the effect of zinc application on yield, quality and profitability of potato cv. Kufri Badshah. Results indicated that various levels of zinc had no significant influence on total tuber yields and its total number of tubers. However, application of recommended dose of fertilizer (275-140-275 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O/ha) along with 4.5 kg Zn/ha had marked improvement in tuber yields of grade 25-50 g (9.99 t/ha) and 50-75 g (25.68 t/ha). Highest per cent dry matter of tuber was registered with application of recommended dose of fertilizer along with 1.5 kg Zn/ha, but dry matter tuber yield remained statistically unaffected by different levels of zinc. Crop, water and partial nutrient productivity did not varied significantly due to various levels of zinc. In terms of economic profitability, application of recommended dose of fertilizer (NPK) along with 4.5 kg Zn/ha was the best among treatments.