Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Tuber Yield and Post-Harvest Soil Fertility of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2025–26 at the Research Farm of Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on tuber yield and post-harvest soil fertility of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The experiment was laid out in a Split Plot Design with three potato varieties and six nutrient management treatments comprising different combinations of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), and vermicompost. Tuber yield and post-harvest soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were recorded and analyzed statistically. The results revealed significant variation among varieties and nutrient management treatments. Among the varieties, Kufri Chipsona-1 recorded the highest tuber yield (33.90 t ha⁻¹), followed by Kufri Ashok (28.12 t ha⁻¹), while the lowest yield was observed in Kufri Anand (21.49 t ha⁻¹). Among nutrient management treatments, application of 50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 15 t ha⁻¹ (T5) produced the highest tuber yield (30.84 t ha⁻¹), available nitrogen (163.56 kg ha⁻¹), and available potassium (244.78 kg ha⁻¹). The highest soil organic carbon content (0.638%) and available phosphorus (12.55 kg ha⁻¹) were recorded under 50% RDF + FYM @ 30 t ha⁻¹ (T4). Integrated application of organic manures with inorganic fertilizers significantly improved soil fertility compared with the sole application of chemical fertilizers. The study demonstrated that partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with vermicompost and FYM enhanced potato productivity and improved post-harvest soil nutrient status. Among the treatments, 50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 15 t ha⁻¹ proved to be the most effective nutrient management strategy for sustainable potato production under the agro-climatic conditions of Uttar Pradesh