EFFECT OF ROOT ZONE APPLICATION OF CO2 ON POTATO PLANT GROWTH AND YIELD

Abstract

The response of potato plants to root zone apphcahon of CO₂ at 20 and 40 ml/week was studied at Shimla during summers of 2001 and 2002 Application of CO₂ in the root zone increased plant height, leaf number and leaf area per plant, the increasae being higher in 40 ml treatment At 40 DAP there was negligible tuber formation, but at 70 and 90 DAP, mcrease in tuber weight 10 40 ml treatment was 34 7% and 13.3% than the control plants Applicahon of CO₂ increased soil pH and organic carbon content. Likewise the lcahon exchange capaCity of roots mereased with CO₂ application Nitrogen and phosphorus content decreased in the root, stem and tubers with increase In CO₂ concentration at 90 DAP. K content decreased at 90 DAP to root, stem and leaf whereas it increased m tuberS at thIS stage. The results indIcated the benefiCial mfluence of CO₂ on potato plant growth and yield.