Journal d'horticulture
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Effect of Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizer Rates on Growth and Yield of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.), Northwestern Ethiopia

Yohannes Gelaye1*, Dereje Ademe1 , Melkamu Alemayehu2

Potato is one of the most imperative food and nutrition security crops in Ethiopia. Poor soil fertility and nutrient imbalances are the major hindrances of potato production and productivity. In view of this, an experiment was conducted to study the effects of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates on growth and yield of potato in Gozamin district during the 2018 rainy season. The experiment consisted of three levels of phosphorus (0, 34.5 and 69 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four levels of potassium (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg K2O ha-1) in a factorial arrangement using RCBD with three replications. Data on phenology, growth, and yield were collected and subjected to analysis of variance using SAS 9.2 statistical software. The result of the study showed that all phenological parameters were significantly affected by the main effects of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates but not by their interactions. Growth parameter (plant height), yield components (marketable and total tuber yield); were significantly influenced by the interaction effects of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates. The highest marketable (48.32 t ha-1) and total tuber yield (49.14 t ha-1) were attained from treatments received 34.5 kg P2O5 ha-1 with 200 kg K2O ha-1. While, longest plant height (84.80 cm) was recorded on a treatment received, 34.5 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 200 kg K2O ha-1. Likewise, application of 34.5 kg P2O5 ha-1 gave the highest leaf area index (6.86).