Effect of nitrogen fertilizer and vermicompost on vegetative growth, yield and NPK uptake by tuber of potato (Agria CV.)

ABSTRACT: In order to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and vermicompost on vegetative growth, yield and NPK uptake by tuber of potato, a field experiment was carried out in the form of factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replication per treatment in research field of RanFiroozkoh Company in 2011. Experimental factors included nitrogen fertilizer with three levels(50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 as urea) and vermicompost with 4 levels(0(control), 4.5, 9, and 12 ton ha-1). Results illustrated that the highest amount of plant height, leaf and stem dry weight, Leaf Area Index(LAI), fresh and dry weight of tuber , total tuber weight, total number of tuber, tuber diameter ,nitrogen percent of tuber , potassium percent of tuber and phosphorous percent of tuber were found from application of 150 kg N ha-1. Data also demonstrated that vermicompost application at the rate of 12 ton ha-1 promoted all above traits except plant height in compared to control treatment. Furthermore, the interaction effects between different nitrogen rates and vermicompost application significantly improved growth parameters, yield and NPK content of tuber compared with nitrogen and/or vermicompost alone treatments. To gain highest yield and avoidance of environments pollution use of 150 kg N ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer and vermicompost application of 12 ton ha-1 are suggested.