@article{Adhikari_Karki_2009, title={Effect of Potassium on Potato Tuber Production in Acid Soils of Malepatan, Pokhara}, volume={7}, url={https://nepjol.info/index.php/NARJ/article/view/1867}, DOI={10.3126/narj.v7i0.1867}, abstractNote={Soils of Pokhara valley, especially Malepatan, are fine textured silt loam, extremely acidic in<br />nature (3.7-4.0 pH) and are medium in soil potassium content. On-station experiments were<br />conducted to assess the response of potassium (K<sub>2</sub>O) and its application methods on potato tuber<br />yield in an extremely acid soil condition. Six potassium levels (0, 50, 75, 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> as basal<br />application, 50 kg basal plus 50 kg top dressed, and 50 kg basal plus 50 kg foliar application)<br />were tested in the experiment for three consecutive years (2000, 2001 and 2002). A randomized<br />complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications was employed. Variety used was MS 42.<br />Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>) and compost were applied as basal dose in each plots at the rate<br />of 100 kg, 50 kg and 20 t ha<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. Three years mean result on the plant growth<br />characters revealed that tallest plant height was recorded (33.22 cm) when 50 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> potassium<br />was applied basally and 50 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> top-dressed. The trend was quite similar in tillers production<br />(6.96 branches plant<sup>-1</sup>) and biomass production (168.66 g plant<sup>-1</sup>). Maximum of 473.33-g plant<sup>-1</sup><br />of tubers was produced when 100 kg of potassium was applied basal single dose. Highest tuber<br />yield of 24.75 t ha<sup>-1</sup> of tuber were produced when 50 kg potassium was applied basally and 50<br />kg top- dressed, a total of 100 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>. Highly significant response of potassium levels on tuber<br />production was observed in all the years. The results of this investigation suggested that<br />application of potassium (K<sub>2</sub>O) at the rate of 50 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> basal and 50 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> top-dressed in 45<br />days could increase potato tuber yield satisfactorily in extremely acid soil condition.<br /><br /><strong>Key words:</strong> Basal application; potassium levels; Solanum tuberosum; tuber production; topdressing<br /><br />DOI: 10.3126/narj.v7i0.1867<br /><br /><em>Nepal Agriculture Research Journal</em> Vol.7 2006 pp.42-48}, journal={Nepal Agriculture Research Journal}, author={Adhikari, BH and Karki, KB}, year={2009}, month={May}, pages={42–48} }