Effect of foliar spraying of K2SO4 on some vegettaive growth and yield components for two potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars in clay soil

Abstract

A Factorial field experiment was carried out during spring season 2012 in soil of clayey texture at Agricultural Research Center / Koya city located at 44°39' E, 36°05' N, and 618m of altitude by an RCBD repeated trice for studying the effect of spraying K2SO4 salt (0 , 5 and 7.5 g/L) on some vegetative growth, yield and yield component of two potato cultivars (Provento and Riviera). Results showed that Provento cultivar had the higher the leaves chlorophyll content, plant yield tuber weight and marketable yield significantly compared to Riviera cultivar which increased the stem number and plant height. Plant spraying with K2SO4 increased leaves chlorophyll content with increasing the concentration of the salt which not affects significantly on stem number of both cultivars. Meanwhile 5 g/L increased significantly potato plant height. Results also showed that spraying 5g/L K2SO4 increased significantly each of plant yield, marketable yield compared to control. While increasing the concentration to 7.5 g/L K2SO4 decreased the marketable yield and its components to near the control. This study recommends cultivating potato plant Provento cultivar not Rivira at spring season, with spraying 5g/L K2SO4 for increasing yield.