Influence of Nano Nitrogen on Yield and Quality of Potato under Humid, Sub-Tropical Region of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth most important food crop globally and served as a staple food in western countries. Recently, nanotechnology-based farming has gained much attention for improving nutrient use efficiency, maximizing yields and environmental sustainability. A field experiment on potato variety 'Kufri Jyoti' were conducted with 11 treatments considering RBD design with combinations of conventional nitrogen fertilizer and nano-urea. The study evaluated the effects treatments like T1 = 0 % N (Control), T2 = RDF (NPK@200:150:150 kg ha-1), Conventional fertilizer i.e. 0 % N, 25% N, 50% and 75% of different combination with Nano-Urea sprayed at various dosage to find out the yield, quality parameters and economic returns. Results indicated that the combined application of conventional (75%) N and twice spray of nano-Urea 6ml/lit (T9) produces the highest economical yield (26.79 t ha-1) and confirms 76.64 % increase in yield over the control. Highest haulm fresh yield (22.63 t ha-1) was found in T9 treatment. Though, haulm dry yield, tuber dry yield and biological yield was also associated highest with T9 treatment i.e. 4.70, 5.83 and 49.42 t ha-1 respectively and highest harvest index (%) was observed in T7 (54.27) treatment. Carbohydrate and starch content of tuber showed minor variation, whereas protein content was significantly higher (22.65%) than the control. Although the highest benefit-cost ratio (2.28) was observed in T3 followed by T9. After systematic analysis the T9 (75% Nano spray 6ml/lit twice) treatment significantly overcame the better combination among all the treatment combination. While these 75:25 ratio of conventional and nano fertilizer had better nutrient absorption with minimum loss improving potato cultivation.