Potato Cultivation Research Articles

Bacterial-Coated Urea To Reduce The Use Of Urea Fertilizer In Potato Cultivation

Urea fertilizers and biofertilizers play an important role in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivation, but urea fertilizers are volatile and leach out easily that reduce their effectiveness. Urea coated with beneficial bacteria-enriched organic matter is expected to increase nitrogen used efficiency. The purpose of the experiment was to determine the ability of bacterial-coated urea (BCU) included Bacillus and Azotobacter to improve the growth, nutrient status and yields of potatoes grown in field; as well as to reduce urea dose. The experiment was setup in randomized block design with five treatments and six replications. The treatments were four combinations of the dose and formulation of BCU; and conventional urea fertilizer as control treatment. Application of both BCU formulation increased plant height as well as N and P uptake particularly when the recommended dose was used. In contrast, the doses and formulation of BCU did not affect chlorophyll content. Application of BCU-A or BCU-B at the rate of 200 kg/ha increased tuber weight by 59% and 81% respectively. Both high and low dose of BCU did not reduce the vegetative growth and yield compared to the plants fertilized with conventional urea. This experiment showed that BCU is considered to reduce the rate of Urea in potatoes cultivation.

Organic Fertilization of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) with Green Fertilizer (Tithonia diversifolia)

The present study was conducted on the volcanic soil of Mudja in Nyiragongo territory to evaluate the effect of fresh biomass of Tithonia diversifolia on the productivity of different potato varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.). The experimental set-up was a completely randomized block design with four replicates and three treatments. Tithonia leaves were incorporated into the soil two weeks before planting potato tubers at a quantity of 36 kg. The results showed that the general trend in plot productivity was in the order of : T3>T1>T2 with the Gahinga variety (T3) at 27.81T/ha. The study showed that Tithonia diversifolia, under the conditions of this trial, had great potential for improving soil nutrient availability and could supply the quantity of nutrients required for potato cultivation without using chemical fertilizers.

Impact of Inter-Row Cultivation on Potato Tuber Yields in Organic Farming

The paper highlights the surging interest in organic agriculture among both food producers and consumers in Russia. However, when transitioning from intensive agricultural production to organic technologies, certain problems arise. This applies to crop cultivation, especially potatoes, as the ban on traditional mineral fertilizers necessitates the search for rational and science-based alternative methods. (Research purpose) The study aims to investigate the impact of deep inter-row potato cultivation on tuber yield without using fertilizers. (Materials and methods) To adapt crop cultivation practices in the North-West region to organic production requirements, a six-field crop rotation, including potatoes, was implemented at the Institute of Agroengineering and Environmental Problems of Agricultural Production. The experimental field soil is characterized as soddy-podzolic and light loamy. For the experiment, the domestic potato variety Udacha was used. Continuous monitoring was conducted for the soil’s physical parameters. Inter-row cultivation was performed in two ways: hilling with harrowing using the row-crop cultivator KON-2.8 + BRU (control planting) and deep cultivation to 27 centimeter depth with the KNO-2.8 + BRU (test planting). (Results and discussion) Digital agromonitoring of environmental climatic parameters and soil physical characteristics, including hardness and moisture content, was conducted. The study examined the impact of inter-row-cultivation method on potato yields over three years. In three-year retrospective study, the highest yield of 20.57 tons per hectare was achieved in 2022, while adverse soil and climatic conditions in 2021 led to the lowest yields of 12.8 tons in the control planting and 14.19 tons in the experiment planting. (Conclusions) By creating favorable soil conditions for potato development through eliminating compaction in the rows, the increase in yield can reach 27 percent due to deep row cultivation, improved soil moisture, and moisture retention.

НАПРАВЛЕНИЯ РАЗВИТИЯ РЫНОЧНО-ОРИЕНТИРОВАННЫХ ОТРАСЛЕЙ РАСТЕНИЕВОДСТВА В ПЕРМСКОМ КРАЕ

The scientific article contains a theoretical analysis of the prospects for increasing production volumes of market-oriented types of crop products, draws attention to the need for the development of organic agriculture, presents the results of an analysis of the global, domestic and regional market for crop products and indicates the fact of imports into the Russian Federation, noting the need to increase consumption of crop products. Attention is drawn to the location of suburban vegetable growing in urban agglomerations, the need to establish the priority of farmers for the production of market-oriented products of the crop industry without losses in their own feed production for the livestock industry is noted. The development of greenhouse vegetable growing in the suburb of Chusovoy, where the Perm Greenhouse Plant operates, was noted. Statistical data is presented and an increase in grain yields in 2022 is noted. In the structure of the gross grain harvest, the largest share belongs to wheat, while the least amount of winter rye was collected. The dynamics of potato yields are considered, it is indicated that peak values were observed in 2011 and 2021. The trend towards a reduction in sown areas has also affected the cultivation of potatoes; according to statistical data, there is a constant annual decrease in the sown areas of potatoes. The decrease in sown areas had a negative impact on the gross potato harvest. Statistically, data indicate that in 2011 the peak value of the gross harvest was obtained with a clear decrease in the sown area. The growth of the gross harvest in 2011 was influenced by the record potato yield. In 2017, there was a decrease in the gross potato harvest due to a significant decrease in yields and sown areas.

Surveillance and management of brown spot of potato

A survey was conducted to assess the incidence of brown spot disease in three tehsils of District Okara. Maximum incidence was observed in Depalpur (44%) followed by Okara (33%) and Renala khurd (15%). During study, six chemicals (CabrioTop, Fossil, Axel, Forum Top, Kocide and Topsin M) and six phytochemicals (Nigella sativa, Azadirachta indica, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum verum, and Eucalyptus globulus) at three different concentrations were evaluated. Results indicated that maximum inhibition of mycellial growth was expressed by Fossil (5.24 mm) followed by Topsin M (7.13 mm), Axel (7.38 mm), Kocide (11.289 mm), Forum Top (18.79 mm), CabrioTop (25.01 mm). Among phyto-extracts, Datura stramonium (7.77 mm) showed maximum reduction in fungal growth followed by Nigella sativa (13.88 mm), Azadirachta indica (19.18 mm), Zingiber officinale (24.87 mm), Cinnamomum Verum (25.59 mm), and Eucalyptus globulus (36.13 mm) as compared to control (water). The current study, offers valuable insights into the prevalence and distribution of brown spot disease in District Okara, there by facilitating the development of focused management strategies to alleviate its impact on potato cultivation.

77 years of uninterrupted agricultural research in Suceava

In 1946, by decision no. 1933 of the Ministry of Agriculture, the first agricultural research unit in the northern part of Moldova (the Suceava Experimental Agricultural Station, currently the Suceava Agricultural Research and Development Station) was established, as a necessity for the development of agriculture in Bucovina. After three years of operation in the submontane area from Ilisesti (19 km from Suceava), by decision no. 564249 of August 24 of the same ministry, the resort was transferred to Suceava. The area where the cantonment is located is individualized by specific pedoclimatic conditions, characterized by thermal restrictions, the non-uniformity of the hydrological regime — from insufficient to excessive — and by a great diversity of soil types, from soils with low fertility to those with good fertility. The consequence of this ecological diversity was, from the beginning, the need to diversify the concern related to research activity in response to solving the main problems of agriculture in the Suceava Plateau. If in the year of establishment (1946) the concerns were directed towards the cultivation of potatoes, meadows and fodder plants, over time it can be seen by following the evolution of concerns and the way of achieving the basic objectives of agricultural research, in Suceava, a continuous expansion of the problem areas addressed as well as the amplification of their complexity.

Exploring the Impact of Coconut Peat and Vermiculite on the Rhizosphere Microbiome of Pre-Basic Seed Potatoes under Soilless Cultivation Conditions.

Soilless cultivation of potatoes often utilizes organic coconut peat and inorganic vermiculite as growing substrates. The unique microbial communities and physicochemical characteristics inherent to each substrate significantly influence the microecological environment crucial for potato growth and breeding. This study analyzed environmental factors within each substrate and employed Illumina sequencing alongside bioinformatics tools to examine microbial community structures, their correlation with environmental factors, core microbial functions, and the dynamics of microbial networks across various samples. These included pure coconut peat (CP1) and pure vermiculite (V1), substrates mixed with organic fertilizer for three days (CP2 and V2), and three combinations cultivated with potatoes for 50 days (CP3, V3, and CV3-a 1:1 mix of coconut peat and vermiculite with organic fertilizer). Vermiculite naturally hosts a more diverse microbial community. After mixing with fertilizer and composting for 3 days, and 50 days of potato cultivation, fungal diversity decreased in both substrates. Coconut peat maintains higher bacterial diversity and richness compared to vermiculite, harboring more beneficial bacteria and fungi, resulting in a more complex microbial network. However, vermiculite shows lower bacterial diversity and richness, with an accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms. Among the 11 environmental factors tested, water-soluble nitrogen (WSN), total nitrogen (TN), available potassium (AK), total organic carbon (TOC) and air-filled porosity (AFP) were significantly associated with microbial succession in the substrate.The nutritional type composition and interaction patterns of indigenous microorganisms differ between vermiculite and coconut peat. Adding abundant nutrients significantly affects the stability and interaction of the entire microbial community, even post-potato cultivation. When using vermiculite for soilless cultivation, precise control and adjustment of nutrient addition quantity and frequency are essential.

Evaluating the Performance of Potato Genotypes Across Diverse Climatic Conditions

Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) is a globally important crop plant producing high yields of nutritionally valuable food in the form of tubers. Growing conditions across Pakistan are not uniform and it is important to dissect the genotype by environment interaction to identify the material suited to a particular environment. In this study, fifteen potato genotypes, namely FD49-28, FD3-10, FD1-8, SH-19, SH-90, SH-330, SH-80, SH-95, SH-216A, and SH-103, along with standard varieties SH-5, Cardinal, and Diamant, were evaluated for their adaptability across four different locations in Pakistan during the autumn season of 2019-20 and typical agronomic practices were performed and a number of parameters including tuber yield were assessed. Results for tuber grades indicated that the genotypes FD3-10, SH-5, and SH-216A demonstrated better performance. Furthermore, the genotypes FD8-1 and FD1-10 showed a higher level of tolerance to tuber diseases, indicating their potential for disease resistance in potato cultivation. Regarding tuber yield, SH-216A and FD49-28 were the top-performing genotypes, achieving significantly higher yields of 27 t/ha and 26.2 t/ha, respectively, when compared to the other varieties, including the standard ones. The material evaluated and information provided can be used to improve production methods for the industry.

Estimation of the cost and returns of potato cultivation in Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh

Estimation of the cost and returns of potato cultivation in Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh

РАЗРАБОТКА РЕСУРСОСБЕРЕГАЮЩЕЙ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ И ТЕХНИЧЕСКИХ СРЕДСТВ ДЛЯ ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИЯ КАРТОФЕЛЯ

A significant proportion of potatoes are cultivated in difficult soil and climatic conditions, which negatively affects the quality of harvested potatoes due to the consequences of contact of tubers with soil lumps. The technology for cultivating potatoes with alternating beds is proposed to increase the efficiency of potato cultivation to stabilize the accumulation of organic matter, decompact the soil and the subsoil horizon. The method includes basic tillage, pre-planting tillage with cutting ridges, planting potatoes in ridges, inter-row cultivation, maintenance soil moisture and density, digging up tubers and marking rows. The method differs in that during subsequent planting next year, the soil is cultivated so that the bottom of the ridges alternates with potato tubers. The research results showed that the greatest influence on the destruction of soil lumps is their moisture content and the speed at which the lumps collide with the beater drum. It has been shown that destruction of up to 80% of soil lumps occurs when falling from a height of 1 - 1.5 m and the destructive force of clay with a moisture content of 17 - 22% under static compression is 0.1-0.2 kN. Ultimately, the technology of growing potatoes with alternating ridges helps control weeds and minimizes the incidence of diseases and pests.

Enhancing Sustainability in Potato Crop Production: Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Nitrate Accumulation in Potato Tubers through Optimized Nitrogen Fertilization

The complex ramifications of global climate change, which is caused by heightened concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, are deeply concerning. Addressing this crisis necessitates the immediate implementation of adaptive mitigation strategies, especially within the agricultural sector. In this context, this study aimed to assess how the supply of nitrogen (N) (0, 70, 140, and 210 kg N ha−1) in the forms of ammonium nitrate and urea affects the agronomic performance, food quality, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and carbon footprint of potato plants. The examined hypothesis was that by precisely calibrating N doses alongside appropriate sourcing, over-fertilization in potato cultivation can be mitigated. A decline in stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate disturbs physiological mechanisms, reflecting in biomass production. Application of 136 kg N ha−1 as urea showed a remarkable yield increase compared to other doses and sources. The highest nitrate content in potato tubers was achieved at 210 kg N ha−1 for both sources, not exceeding the limit (200 mg kg−1 of fresh mass) recommended for human consumption. The lowest carbon footprint was obtained when 70 kg N ha−1 was applied, around 41% and 26% lower than when 210 kg N ha−1 and 140 kg N ha−1 were applied, respectively. The results demonstrated that over-fertilization not only worsened the yield and tuber quality of potato plants, but also increased greenhouse gas emissions. This information is valuable for establishing an effective fertilization program for the potato crop and reducing carbon footprint.

Does the Deep Placement of Fertilizers Increase Potato Yields, Fertilization Efficiency and Reduce N2O Emissions from the Soil?

Despite the notable decline in potato cultivation areas across Poland and Europe, potatoes remain a crucial crop with diverse applications. Achieving the ambitious emission targets set by the EU for agricultural production may be easier with the practice of deep placement of slow-release fertilizers, which may increase yields and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To examine the effect of deep placement of slow-release fertilizers on potato tuber yields, plant nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency, and soil N2O-N emissions, a two-year field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil classified as Alblic Podzol (Ochric) soil, under temperate climate conditions prevailing in central Poland. The experiment involved a three-field rotation (potatoes, wheat, and peas), with potatoes being cultivated after peas in both years of the study. The experiment compared the effects of applying slow-release fertilizer at soil depths of 10 and 20 cm (DP10 and DP20) to fertilization with single-nutrient fertilizers applied to the soil surface (TD). The experiment utilized increasing doses of nitrogen and phosphorus, denoted as D0 (control), D1, D2, and D3, along with a standard dose of potassium across all tested fertilizer application methods. The results of this study confirmed that deep placement of slow-release fertilizers had limited effects on potato tuber yields. Deep placement of slow-release fertilizer increased plant nitrogen uptake by 2.8–13.5% compared to topdressing. Consequently, there was an improvement in nitrogen use efficiency from 29.8–75.0% on sites with fertilizer topdressing to 38.7–89.8% on sites with slow-release fertilizer deep placement. Phosphorus uptake by plants on sites with slow-release fertilizer deep placement was approximately 9.3–13.0% higher than on sites with fertilizer topdressing. This led to an enhancement in phosphorus use efficiency from about 15.1–19.5% on fertilizer topdressing sites to 19.4–25.4% on slow-release fertilizer deep placement sites. The impact of fertilizer deep placement was found to be less pronounced compared to the effects observed with increased nitrogen and phosphorus doses. The most important factors affecting tuber yield and nutrient use in potatoes were rainfall levels during the growing season. Deep fertilization did contribute to reduce soil N2O emissions by about 14%. However, further research involving different fertilization methods is needed to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of this practice in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Drivers of extent of commercialization of potato farming through digital marketing platforms in Nakuru County, Kenya

Digital agricultural marketing platforms have emerged as one of the key tools for facilitating farmers’ access to markets. While previous studies have predominantly focused on examining factors influencing adoption of these platforms, there remains a gap in understanding factors that determine the proportion of a farmer’s produce marketed through the platforms. This knowledge is crucial for effective scaling up of digital marketing platforms. Consequently, this research aimed to evaluate the extent of commercialization of potato farming through Digital Agricultural Marketing Platforms (DAMPs), with a specific focus on the M-shamba platform in Kenya. To achieve this objective, data was collected in 2022 from a sample of 375 potato farmers from Nakuru County. The data was analyzed with Stata using probit and Tobit models through the conditional mixed process. The findings revealed that total farm income, price per kilogram of output, access to credit, size of the farm dedicated to potato cultivation, and age of the household head influenced the use of M-shamba platform. Further, the extent of commercialization through M-shamba was significantly determined by total livestock units, marketing decision-maker, having potato farming as primary enterprise, farm income, access to credit, membership to agricultural groups, and age of the household head. In light of these findings, the study recommends targeted support and training programs for older farmers to enhance their proficiency in utilizing DAMPs. Moreover, policies and initiatives aimed at increasing farm income should be implemented to assist farmers with limited incomes. Farmers in groups should be encouraged to participate in collective digital marketing efforts.

Seed tuber imprinting shapes the next-generation potato microbiome.

Potato seed tubers are colonized and inhabited by soil-borne microbes, that can affect the performance of the emerging daughter plant in the next season. In this study, we investigated the intergenerational inheritance of microbiota from seed tubers to next-season daughter plants under field condition by amplicon sequencing of bacterial and fungal microbiota associated with tubers and roots, and tracked the microbial transmission from different seed tuber compartments to sprouts. We observed that field of production and potato genotype significantly (P < 0.01) affected the composition of the seed tuber microbiome and that these differences persisted during winter storage of the seed tubers. Remarkably, when seed tubers from different production fields were planted in a single trial field, the microbiomes of daughter tubers and roots of the emerging plants could still be distinguished (P < 0.01) according to the production field of the seed tuber. Surprisingly, we found little vertical inheritance of field-unique microbes from the seed tuber to the daughter tubers and roots, constituting less than 0.2% of their respective microbial communities. However, under controlled conditions, around 98% of the sprout microbiome was found to originate from the seed tuber and had retained their field-specific patterns. The field of production shapes the microbiome of seed tubers, emerging potato plants and even the microbiome of newly formed daughter tubers. Different compartments of seed tubers harbor distinct microbiomes. Both bacteria and fungi on seed tubers have the potential of being vertically transmitted to the sprouts, and the sprout subsequently promotes proliferation of a select number of microbes from the seed tuber. Recognizing the role of plant microbiomes in plant health, the initial microbiome of seed tubers specifically or planting materials in general is an overlooked trait. Elucidating the relative importance of the initial microbiome and the mechanisms by which the origin of planting materials affect microbiome assembly will pave the way for the development of microbiome-based predictive models that may predict the quality of seed tuber lots, ultimately facilitating microbiome-improved potato cultivation.

Influencia de microorganismos benéficos en el comportamiento agronómico del cultivo de la papa cv. “Bicentenaria”

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers causes alterations in soil microbial activity, environmental pollution and high production costs in potato cultivation (Solanum tuberosum L.). One way to avoid this effect is with the use of beneficial microorganisms, due to their ability to capture atmospheric nitrogen, produce growth-promoting substances such as indole acetic acid and solubilize inorganic phosphorus from insoluble compounds, which in turn time improves crop yields. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the beneficial microorganisms as biofertilizers on growth and yield of potato crop. In a population of 1,600 potato plants cv. “Bicentenaria” four treatments were evaluated: Trichoderma harzianum (0.5 g.L-1), Glomus spp. (30 g.plant-1), efficient microorganisms (EM) (50 mL.L-1) and a control treatment (no application of microorganisms). A completely randomized experimental design with four repetitions per treatment was used. The effect of the treatments was evaluated using vegetative and reproductive variables. It was evident that the treatment with T. harzianum significantly favored the rest of the treatments in plant height at 90 days (43.60 cm), tuber weight (154 g) and yield (57.13 t.ha-1). The use of Glomus spp. and EM, had only a partial effect on the growth of the plants. The treatment with T. harzianum could represent an ecological agricultural alternative for potato production.

Traditional potato tillage systems in the Peruvian Andes impact bacterial diversity, evenness, community composition, and functions in soil microbiomes

The soil microbiome, a crucial component of agricultural ecosystems, plays a pivotal role in crop production and ecosystem functioning. However, its response to traditional tillage systems in potato cultivation in the Peruvian highlands is still far from understood. Here, ecological and functional aspects of the bacterial community were analyzed based on soil samples from two traditional tillage systems: 'chiwa' (minimal tillage) and 'barbecho' (full tillage), in the Huanuco region of the Peruvian central Andes. Similar soil bacterial community composition was shown for minimal tillage system, but it was heterogeneous for full tillage system. This soil bacterial community composition under full tillage system may be attributed to stochastic, and a more dynamic environment within this tillage system. 'Chiwa' and 'barbecho' soils harbored distinct bacterial genera into their communities, indicating their potential as bioindicators of traditional tillage effects. Functional analysis revealed common metabolic pathways in both tillage systems, with differences in anaerobic pathways in 'chiwa' and more diverse pathways in 'barbecho'. These findings open the possibilities to explore microbial bioindicators for minimal and full tillage systems, which are in relationship with healthy soil, and they can be used to propose adequate tillage systems for the sowing of potatoes in Peru.

Phenological growth stages of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) according to the extended BBCH scale

AbstractSweet potato is grown for its starchy roots in many countries and is widely cultivated in India. This crop is widely acknowledged for its substantial economic and health benefits. However, a comprehensive description of its phenology has not been reported. The phenological growth stages of sweet potato are described here for the first time using the extended Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt, and Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale. Nine primary growth stages have been specifically defined, including germination (0), leaf development (1), main shoot development (2), side shoot development (3), tuber development (4), inflorescence emergence (5), flowering (6), fruit development (7), fruit maturation (8), and senescence (9). The sequential progression of key growth stages has been described according to the phenological development structure and environmental requirements of different phenophases. Because it covers all phenophases related to the vegetative and reproductive stages, the extended BBCH scale is extensively useful for sweet potato cultivation. The extended BBCH scale may also be a useful tool for assessing the potential effects of climate change on crop productivity and fruit quality.

In vivo application of potent probiotics for enhancing potato growth and controlling Ralstonia solanacearum and Fusarium oxysporum infections

Plant probiotics are live microbial cells or cultures that support plant growth and control plant pathogens through different mechanisms. They have various effects on plants, including plant growth promotion through the production of indole acetic acid (IAA), biological control activity (BCA), and production of cellulase enzymes, thus inducing systemic resistance and increasing the availability of mineral elements. The present work aimed to study the potential of Achromobacter marplatensis and Bacillus velezensis as plant probiotics for the field cultivation of potatoes. In vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of selected probiotics to produce IAA and cellulase, as well as antimicrobial activity against two plant pathogens that infect Solanum tuberosum as Fusarium oxysporum and Ralstonia solanacearum under different conditions at a broad range of different temperatures and pH values. In vivo study of the effects of the probiotics A. marplatensis and B. velezensis on S. tuberosum plants grown in sandy clay loamy soil was detected after cultivation for 90 days. Probiotic isolates A. marplatensis and B. velezensis were able to tolerate ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure for up to two hours, the dose response curve exhibited that the D10 values of A. marplatensis and B. velezensis were 28 and 16 respectively. In the case of loading both probiotics with broth, the shoot dry weight was increased significantly from 28 in the control to 50 g, shoot length increased from 24 to 45.7 cm, branches numbers increased from 40 to 70 branch, leaves number increased from 99 to 130 leaf, root dry weight increased from 9.3 to 12.9 g, root length increased from 24 to 35.7 cm, tuber weight increased from 15 to 37.0 g and tubers number increased from 9 to 24.4 tuber, the rot percentage was reduced to 0%. The addition of both probiotic isolates, either broth or wheat grains load separately has enhanced all the growth parameters; however, better results and increased production were in favor of adding probiotics with broth more than wheat. On the other hand, both probiotics showed a remarkable protective effect against potato pathogens separately and reduced the negative impact of the infection using them together.

Effect of calcium and magnesium nutrition on vegetative growth and tuber yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum)

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate on the growth and tuber yield in potato (Solanum tuberosum L). Experiment was carried out in split-plot design comprising of nine calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate treatments i.e.T1- Ca(NO3)2 @ 0.5%, T2- Ca(NO3)2 @ 1%, T3- Ca(NO3)2 @ 2%, T4- MgSO4 @ 0.5%, T5- MgSO4 @ 1%, T6- MgSO4 @ 2%, T7- Ca(NO3)2 @ 1% + MgSO4 @ 1%, T8- Ca(NO3)2 @ 2% + MgSO4 @ 2%, T9- Control on two potato varieties i.e. Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Chandramukhi. Data collected on different parameters were analyzed using CPCS1 software. Among all the calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate treatments, application of Ca(NO3)2 @ 2% + MgSO4 @ 2% was found to be the best for most of the parameters studied and between the varieties Kufri Jyoti was found highly significant for the different parameters under study. Hence it can be concluded that commercial cultivation of potato in the central region of Punjab can be successfully supplemented with application of Ca (NO3)2 + MgSO4 and variety Kufri Jyoti.

Forecasting analysis of harvest area, production and productivity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in North Sumatra Province

North Sumatra Province stands out as a key hub for potato cultivation in Indonesia, with a considerable potato consumption rate driven by its substantial population. This study aims to analyze the trend of harvest area, production, and productivity of potatoes in North Sumatra Province from 2007 to 2021. Additionally, it seeks to project the future trends in harvest areas, production, and productivity for the period 2023-2032 through forecasting analysis facilitated by the SPSS program application. The research employs purposive area sampling to determine the study locations, utilizing secondary data sourced from the Central Agency on Statistics of North Sumatra Province. Finding reveal a positive trend in potato harvest area, production, and productivity from 2007 to 2021. Looking ahead to 2023-2032, the forecast indicates a downward trajectory in potato harvest areas, while potato production and productivity are anticipated to maintain a positive trend in North Sumatra Province.