Zinc Enrichment and Productivity Enhancement in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) through Agronomic Biofortification Approaches

Abstract

In India, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) productivity has stagnated due to nutrient imbalance and intensive cropping systems. Zinc (Zn), an essential micronutrient for both plants and humans, plays a crucial role in maintaining physiological and metabolic functions. Agronomic biofortification is the tool for enhancing crop micronutrient content through nutrient management. Potato crop is a high Zn bioavailability and low content of Zn absorption inhibitors. A field experiment was conducted during 2019–20 and 2020–21 at the Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh), to assess the effect of Zn fertilization on yield, Zn enrichment and economic returns in potato. Foliar application of ZnSO₄ @ 2 g/L at 25 and 50 days after planting (DAP) significantly enhanced growth attributes—plant height (61.08 cm), number of shoots (9.20), and leaves per plant (127.20), the highest total tuber yield (33.42 t ha⁻¹) and tuber number (834.32 ×10³ ha⁻¹). The same treatment also resulted in the highest Zn concentration in tubers (1.5 mg kg⁻¹). Economic analysis revealed the maximum net return (₹2,32,941 ha⁻¹) and benefit–cost ratio (2.30) under this treatment. These findings demonstrate that foliar application of ZnSO₄ @ 2 g/L at 25 and 50 DAP is a highly effective agronomic biofortification strategy for improving yield, Zn concentration, and profitability of potato cultivation under the agro-climatic conditions of Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.