INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION METHODS ALONG WITH NITROGEN AND POTASH MANAGEMENT ON YIELD AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE BY POTATO

Field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2006-07 and 2007-08 to study the effect of fertigation of nitrogen and potash under different methods of irrigation on yield of potato Cv. Kennebec. Fifteen treatment combinations consisting of five irrigation methods viz., drip (0.8 PEF) with lateral in each row (45 cm) and in each pair (90 cm), perforated pipe (90 cm), micro-sprinkler (at 3 m) at 1.0 IW/CPE ratio (40 mm) and furrow at 0.8 IW/CPE ratio (60 mm) were relegated to main plots and three levels of fertility viz., 50%, 75% and 100% N and K of recommended dose were assigned to sub-plots, with three replications. Irrigation through drip (0.8 PEF) in each row and pair was found equally effective in increasing yield of potato. It also recorded higher values of NPK uptake, WUE, nutrient productivity, net realization and BCR. 75% recommended levels of nitrogen and potash in five equal splits at 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after planting through fertigation (F2) increased the yield, uptake of NPK, WUE, nutrient productivity, net realization and BCR. Growing of potato laying drip with laterals in each pair and applying 75% recommended dose of N and K (206 kg each) as fertigation in five splits resulted into higher tuber yield and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash, WUE, nutrient productivity, net realization and BCR.