Effect of Agronomic Zn Bio Fortification on Growth Yield and Quality of Potato under Rainfed Condition

Abstract

The soil of the experimental field was silty loam in texture having slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.69), low in organic carbon (0.37%) and available nitrogen, but medium in available phosphorus and potassium during experimentation. newlineObservation on growth attributes, yield attributes of potato was recorded as and when required. Among different practices of agronomic Zn bio-fortification treatment T2 + Foliar application of zinc sulphate at 2g liter-1 at 25 and 50 DAP + ZnSB had recorded better performance in case of growth and yield attributes like plant height (cm), number of leaves plant-1, tuber yield (31.40 t ha-1) and haulm yield (t ha-1) (fresh and dry), number of tubers gt 75 g grade (ha-1), weight of tubers gt75 g t ha-1, dry weight basis biomass yield (t ha-1), dry matter (%), starch (%), protein (%), Zn content (ppm) and N,P, K (kg ha-1) and Zn uptake (mg kg-1 ha-1). Economically, T2 + Foliar application of zinc sulphate 2 g liter-1 at 25 and 50 DAP + ZnSB was significantly recorded the maximum gross return (and#8377; 314033 ha-1), net return (and#8377; 214415 ha-1), and B:C ratio (2.15). Based on the research observation, it was recorded that under rainfed condition the bio-availability of Zn and productivity of potato can be maximize with the application of T2 + Foliar application of zinc sulphate at 2 g liter-1 at 25 and 50 DAP + ZnSB.