Grading of Potato Tuber as Influenced by Potassium Level and Mulch Materials

Abstract

Introduction: Effect of potassium (K) and mulch materials on grading of different types of tuber were investigated at the Agronomy research field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from November 2013 to March 2014.Methods: The experiment comprised of four different doses of K viz., 0 kg K ha-1, 100 kg K ha-1, 125 kg K ha-1, 150 kg K ha-1 and four different types of mulch materials viz., soil mulch, rice straw, water hyacinth and saw dust. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications. Statistical analysis done by using MSTAT-C program and mean differences among the treatments were compared by Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% level of significance.Results: Maximum large sized tubers were produced by 150 kg K ha-1 with rice straw mulch. Application of 125 kg K ha-1 with rice straw produced maximum seed potato and tuber for French fry. Without K and soil mulch produced highest tuber for chips (% by t ha-1). Conclusions: Application of 125 kg K ha-1 with rice straw mulch seems to be more suitable for getting higher seed potato (% by number and % by weight) and French fry for BARI (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute) TPS-I.