YIELD STABILITY IN POTATO (Solanum tuberosum l) UNDER VARYING SOIL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Crop production potential can be maintained by managing the soil quality through different soil management strategies. In the present study, the data of four years has been used to investigate the effect of soil management, pest management, variety and cropping system/ rotation in a factorial RBD on the yield stability of potatoes grown in one year rotations. Potato yields in the recommended practice of growing PCN (Potato cyst nematode) resistant potato with French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) as intercrop followed by cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) in rotation has recorded the maximum potato equivalent yield (PEY), which is 40 and 70% higher than the monocropping of potato with the same variety and susceptible variety respectively. The coefficient of variation was lower in this system indicating higher stability in yield. Stability analysis indicated that yields in this recommended system were less influenced by growing conditions as the PCN population was well under control in this treatment. The yields and yield stability were also influenced by cultivar and cropping system as they are the major role players in PCN management. The results indicate that management practices that improve soil quality and reduce the impact of pest (PCN) can enhance potato yield stability by mitigating the impact of adverse growing conditions.