EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF PHYTON-T, A SEAWEED EXTRACT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF POTATO

Abstract

The effect of Phyton-T, a seaweed extract was studied on growth and yield of potato var. Kufri Jyoti for two years during kharif seasons of 2007 & 2008 at ARS, Madenur, Hassan. Growth parameters like number of stems, number of leaves, plant height, leaf length and breadth, leaf area and yield parameters; number and weight of marketable and non-marketable size tuber yield and percentage increase in yield over control were recorded. Foliar application of Phyton-T, three rounds on 25^th, 35^th and 45^th day after planting at the concentrations of 0.5, 0.4 and 0.3% along with 0.3% mancozeb resulted in more vegetative growth - number of stems, number of leaves , plant height, leaf area and yield parameters - total tuber yield and increase in yield (39.21%). Higher yield (231.93 & 203.76 q/ha) was observed in Phyton-T treatments at 0.5% and 0.4% along with mancozeb 0.3%. To get better growth, biomass and yield, foliar spray of Phyton-T at 0.4% concentration along with mancozeb 0.3% in three rounds on 25th, 35th and 45th day after planting was found superior.