Evaluation of Fertilizer potential of sea weed (Kappaphycus and Gracilaria) saps in potato crop in North Eastern hill region of India

Afield experiment was conducted during the summer season at Central Potato Research Station, Shillong, Meghalaya to study the effect of sea weed saps on growth and productivity of potato in the North Eastern hill region of India. The trial was laid out in randomized block design, replicated thrice, with 10 treatments. The number of shoot per plant was found to be non-significant and vary from 2.8 to 3.0. The maximum plant at harvest was recorded under application 7.5 KappaphycusSpray + 100% RDF while lowest under 6.25% + 50% RDF. Maximum small size tuber was found with an application of 10 % Gracilariaspray + RDF which was at par with 2.5 % Kappaphycusspray + RDF and 7.5 % Gracilaria spray + RDF but significantly superior to other treatment. However, the highest medium size tube of potato was noticed under 6.25% Kappaphycusspray along with 50% recommended dose of fertilizer. Highest large size tuber was recorded with an application of 5% Kappaphycus spray + RDF followed by 2.5% Kappaphycusspray along with RDF as well as 7.5 % Gracilariaspray + RDF which was at par, but significantly superior to rest of treatment. Application of 2.5% Kappaphycusspray + 100% RDF recorded the highest productivity of potato (27.1 t/ha) followedby 100% RDF + Kappaphycusspray @ 5.0% (26.6 t/ha) which were at par with each other but significantly superior to the rest of treatments. Based on the economic yield of potato, it may be concluded that the application of 2.5 % Kappaphycusspray + 100% RDF was found to be more profitable under rainfed condition of Meghalaya