POTATO PRODUCTIVITY AND NUTRIENT USE EFFICIENCY AS INFLUENCED BY NPK FERTILIZER OMISSIONS IN CENTRAL INDIA

Abstract

In India, lack of knowledge on soil fertility and appropriate nutrient management practices has restricted potato
production. A field trial was conducted for 5-years during 2013-14 to 2017-18 to determine the main limiting nutrient for
potato (Solanum tuberosum L) and to evaluate the nutrient management practices (NMPs). Results indicated average potato
yields in nutrient omission plots was in the order 0-N (29.5 t ha-1), 0-P (31 t ha-1), 0-K (17.9 t ha-1). The agronomic efficiency
at 50% applied NPK for N (AEN), P (AEP) and K (AEK) was 35 kg tuber kg-1 N, 187 kg tuber kg-1 P and 53 kg tuber kg-1 K,
respectively, and the partial factor productivity of N (PFPN), P (PFPP) and K (PFPK) was 349 kg tuber kg-1 N, 1846 kg tuber kg-1
P and 523 kg tuber kg-1 K, respectively. There was significant negative relationship between AE or PFP of N, P or K and the
respective nutrient rate. Apparent recovery of NPK was 31, 25 and 35%, respectively. The positive relationship between yield
of nutrient omission plots and PFP and AE suggests nutrient use efficiency can be affected by soil indigenous productivity.
NMP produced significant higher yield (32.9 t/ha), yield response (21%) and economic net returns (Rs 47120/ha).