Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Aditi Chauhan, Pallvi, Puja Rattan, Ludarmani and Ashutosh Sharma

Abstract:
Nano-fertilizers have the potential to enhance crop productivity by increasing nutrient use efficiency. The present investigation was conducted to determine the effect of urea and zinc, when applied in nano form fertilizers through the pre-soaking method on the growth, quality, and yield of potato. The experiment consisted of a variety (Kufri Badshah) and laid in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications comprising twelve treatments viz. T₁ (Control), T₂ (NPK), T₃ (Nano-Urea i.e., 100%), T₄ (Nano-Urea i.e., 50%), T₅ (Nano-Zinc), T₆ (Nano-Urea i.e., 100% + Nano-Zinc), T₇ (Nano-Urea i.e., 50% + Nano-Zinc), T₈ (NPK + Nano-Zinc), T₉ (NPK + Nano-Urea i.e., 100%), T₁₀ (NPK +Nano-Urea i.e., 50%), T₁₁ (NPK + Nano-Urea i.e., 100% + Nano-Zinc) and T₁₂ (NPK + Nano-Urea i.e., 50% + Nano-Zinc). The results showed that the pre-soaking application of Nano-Urea (100%) and Nano-Zinc along with NPK increased the plant height and minimum days to 50% emergence. It was also observed that NPK along with Nano-Urea (100%) and Nano-Zinc increased the number of leaves per plant, further the combination of both Nano-Urea (100%) and Nano-Zinc recorded the highest leaf area. Regarding the tuber yield of potato, the highest tuber yield per hectare, tuber yield per plot, number of tubers per plant, dry weight of tubers and fresh weight of tubers were recorded with the combination of NPK along with Nano-Urea (100%) and Nano-Zinc. Among the quality attributes, starch content, sugar content, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, ascorbic acid, and total flavonoid content were recorded highest when NPK was applied with 100% Nano-Urea. The chlorophyll content was recorded maximum when NPK was applied with Nano-Zinc. phenolic content, TSS and flavonoid content were recorded maximum when NPK was applied with 50% Nano-Urea. The result also revealed that pre-soaking treatment of NPK along with Nano-Urea (100%) and Nano-Zinc recorded maximum carotenoid content. The economic analysis depicted the maximum gross income, net income and benefit-cost ratio from the treatment T₁₁ (NPK + Nano-Urea i.e., 100% + Nano-Zinc). The present study will help the farmers to utilize the best combination of nano-fertilizers for increasing the yield of potato.