Growth and yield responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to biochar

Janaki Datta Neupane; Prem Nidhi Sharma; Jiban Shrestha; Kalika Prasad Upadhyay; Narayan Bahadur Dhami

Growth and yield responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to biochar

2020

Janaki Datta Neupane (National Potato Research Program, Khumaltar 15, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, 44700, Nepal, kalikaupadhyay@yahoo.com) | Prem Nidhi Sharma (National Entomology Research Centre, Khumaltar 15, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, 44700, Nepal) | Jiban Shrestha (National Plant Breeding and Genetics Research Centre, Khumaltar15, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, 44700, Nepal) | Kalika Prasad Upadhyay (National Potato Research Program, Khumaltar 15, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, 44700, Nepal, kalikaupadhyay@yahoo.com) | Narayan Bahadur Dhami (Hill Crops Research Program, Baiteshwor 4, Kabre, Dolakha, Baiteshwor Rural Municipality, 45500, Nepal)

The response of five types of biochar (Lantana camara, Ipomoea carnea, rice husk, sawdust, no biochar) on growth and yield attributes of potato was evaluated. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six replications in rainfed areas of two different environments (Jiri in 2018 and Pawati in 2019) of Nepal. The popular early maturing potato variety 'Desiree' was used in the experiment. The spacing was maintained 60 cm between rows and 25 cm between plants in the plot size of 7.2 m2. Seed tubers were planted in the 1st week of February and harvested in the 4th week of May. Recommended fertilizers (100:100:60 kg ha–1 NPK + 20 t ha–1 farmyard manure) and biochars at 2 t ha–1 were applied to the soil. Seed tubers were completely covered with an equal amount of biochar before covering with the soil. The results revealed that the total yield and marketable yield of potato varied with biochars types. The potato tuber yield was found higher and red ants infestation was lower in plots applied with biochars as compared to control plots (without biochars). The use of biochars derived from Lantana camera produced the highest number of tubers (6.1 tubers plant–1), the greatest weight of tubers (286.1 g plant–1) and the least damage of red ants on tubers (4.7%) followed by sawdust (6.0 tubers plant–1, 263.6 g tuber weight plant–1 and 7.8% damaged tubers by red ants). The findings provide new information on the understanding of biochar effect on increased marketable yield of potato in rainfed lands by reducing damage from red ants.

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