Review on Effects of Various Inorganic Fertilizers and Cattle Manure on the Tuber Yield and Quality of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) in Ethiopia

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important and widely cultivated vegetable crops in Ethiopia. The application of organic and inorganic fertilizers highly influence yield and quality attributes of potato. In this article, the effects of different inorganic and organic fertilizers on potato yield and quality were reviewed. Potato yields explained in different terms like total tuber yield, marketable tuber yield, storage tuber weight, and unmarketable tuber yield. And qualities were dry matter, specific gravity, and starch. Fertilizers like nitrogen, phosphorous potassium, and blended fertilizers; like NPSB, NPS, NPSZB, NBS, KCL, and organic fertilizer cattle manure is major fertilizer used in potato production in Ethiopia. These fertilizers are influence yield and quality of potato in both combined and alone application forms. The application of inorganic and organic fertilizer was positively affected yield and quality attributes of potato. However, the combined application form enabled to obtain higher yields and quality than sole application. However, it enhances productivity; the sole application of inorganic fertilizer has a negative impact on soil characteristics. Cattle manure improves soil structure and increases the yield. During the combined application of inorganic and organic fertilizer, the yield and quality obtain were high and soil structure might not be affected that's why a low amount of inorganic fertilizer is utilized. Therefore, the integrated use of inorganic and organic fertilizers was suggested as the better option in obtaining higher yields, improvement in the quality of potato, and soil structure. Keywords: Cattle manure, Dry matter, Inorganic fertilizer, Starch, Total tuber yield. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-22-01 Publication date: November 30 th 2020