Effect of Different Levels of NPK Fertilizer on Potato Tuber Yield In South Eastern Rajasthan

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) popularly known as ‘The king of vegetables’. Potato plays a vital role in food security for ever increasing world population [1, 2]). It is highly capital and labour intensive crop [3]. It is a high quality vegetable cum food crop and used in preparing more than 100 types of recipes in India. India ranks as the world's second largest potato producing nation after China. Freshly harvested potatoes contain about 75-80% water, 16-20% carbohydrates, 2.5-3.2% crude protein, 0.8-1.2% minerals, 0.1-0.2%crude fats, 0.6% crude fiber and some vitamins. Although potato contain only relatively little protein, their nutritional quality is better than cereals. Potatoes contains fair amount of essential amino acids such as isoleucine, leucine and tryptophan [4]. The major potato producing states are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Assam, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. In Rajasthan total area of vegetables 166235.8 ha and production of 1699584 MT. In Rajasthan, total area in potato 13819 ha and production 278519 MT and productivity 201.6 q/ha. The major potato producing districts are Dholpur Bharatpur, Hanumangarh, Kota, Sirohi, Srigangangar and Jalore. The production of vegetables is estimated to be 187.5 mt, (potato share 27.4 % of total vegetable production) about 3.5 per cent more than that in 2016-17. Potato is one of the most valuable food crops of the world and produces more dry matter and protein per day per unit area compared to major cereals. The importance of potato as a vegetable in the state is because about 75% area of Rajasthan is desert where availability of green vegetables is inadequate. The annual consumption of potato is more than its production in the state and hence needs special attention to improve its production. Fertilizer application is one of the best means of increasing yield per unit area. It is believed that NPK fertilizers improve both yield and quality of potato tubers. Potato requires high amounts of potassium fertilizer for optimum growth, production and tuber quality [5], but its recovery of K is often quitelow. The efficiency of NPK fertilizers can be further enhanced by the use of micronutrients. However response of these fertilizers varies depending upon the variety and location. Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) strategies that include site and season-specific knowledge of crop nutrient requirements and indigenous nutrient supplies are required to increase productivity, yields, and nutrient use efficiency. The aim of present study is to determine the effect of different doses of fertilizers on nutritional composition of prominent local variety of potato i.e. Kufri Pushkar. Results of this study would be worthwhile to improve the nutritional quality of potato by the use of suitable combination of NPK fertilizers. Therefore, a field experiments was conducted at Agriculture Research Station Ummedganj, Kota, research farm with popular Potato cultivars KufriPushkar to investigate the site specific nutrient management on Potato performance. Abstract Present study was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Agriculture University, Kota with popular variety of Kufri Pushkar during 2016-17 and 2017-18 in Rabi season to investigate thesite specific nutrient management on potato to attain higher levels of potato productivity along with maintaining the fertility of the soil. Application 281.25, 187.5 and 187.5 kg/ha of N, P2O5 and K2O gave the highest potato tuber yield (23.91t/ha)which was at par with 187.5,125 and 125 kg/ha of N, P2O5 and K2O (23.25t/ha). However, maximum plant height was recorded in application of 281.25, 187.5 and 187.5 kg/ha of N, P2O5 and K2O while 187.5,125 and 125 kg/ha of N, P2O5 at par in no of shoot per plant. Result revealed that the maximum B:C ratio was obtained with the application of 187.5,125 and 125 kg/ha of N, P2O5 and K2O were applied.