Effect of row proportions, organic and inorganic nutrient sources on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tubersoum) cultivars

The effects of row proportions and nutrient management was studied in potato (Solanum tubersoum L.) + Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj.] intercropping system during 2014–15 and 2015–16 at Amar Singh College Farm, Lakhaoti (Bulandshahr), Uttar Pradesh. The field experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design with 3 replications. The main plot treatments consisted of 3 varieties, viz. ‘Kufri Pukhraj’, ‘Kufri Anand’ and ‘Chipsona 3’, and subplots comprised row proportions of 2 : 1 potato : Indian mustard (P : M), 4 : 1 P : M, potato sole and Indian mustard sole and the sub-subplot treatments consisted of 3 nutrient sources 100% organic (FYM), 100% inorganic and 50% organic + 50% inorganic. The maximum fresh weight of tubers (450.33 g), total tuber dry weight (56.99 g), total number of tubers/plant (15.40) as well as total biological yield (49.14) were recorded in ‘Kufri Pukhraj’ both for A - grade and total tuber yield. Row ratio of 2 : 1 (P : M) recorded higher fresh weight of haulms/ plant (191.48), while higher dry weight/plant of potato (119.70) was recorded in the sole crop. Number of tuber/ plant, fresh and dry weight of tubers were significantly higher under sole potato than row ratio of 4 : 1 however, row ratio of 4 : 1 was slightly superior to row ratio of 2 : 1. Sole potato and row ratio of 4 : 1 resulted in significantly higher total biomass than row ratio of 2 : 1. Yield of different grades and total tubers was recorded significantly higher in sole crop than that for row ratio of 4 : 1 and 2 : 1, though variations were observed nominal in case of Cgrade tubers. Significantly higher potato yield (2.85 t/ha) was observed with the application of nutrients through 50% organic + 50% inorganic fertilizer application.