EFFECT OF FOLIAR FERTILIZATION ON YIELD OF SOME POTATO VARIETIES

Abstract

Factorial experiment within RCBD with three replications were carried out in Babylon Governorate at two sites (L1 and L2) during the autumn season of 2017-2018 to study the response of three potato varieties (Rivera, Arizona and Burren) to four spraying treatments of foliar fertilizers. The foliar fertilizers treatments were: (F1) high potash (NPK, 0-5-30), (F2) nutrient solution (N 7%, 5% P, K 7%, 0.5% Mg, K-humate 0.5% and micro elements) at 10 ml/L, (f3) half the quantity of both fertilizers, as well as (F4) control (spraying with distill water only). The spraying was applied twice: after 45 days of planting (tubers formation stage) and then 14 days later (tubing expansion stage). The results showed that Burren variety was superior in plant yield and the total yield (469.5 g, 468.7 g and 24.88 t.ha-1 and 20.29 t.ha-1) respectively. The highest potash fertilizer achieved the highest yield of plant and the marketing yield (441.0 g, 439.9 g and 20.81 t.ha-1 , 21.84 t.ha-1) respectively. The interaction between cultivars and spraying treatments had a significant effect on percentage of dry matter and starch. Burren variety with high potash fertilizer gave the highest dry matter (18.33 and 18.25 %) for both locations, respectively.