Performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) at different phosphorous levels and mulch in Bajura, Nepal

The nutrient is one of the vital factors that helps in the growth of crops. A field experiment was conducted to study the performance of potatoes at the different phosphorous levels and mulch from February to June 2021 in Dhamkane, Bajura district, Nepal. The experiment was arranged in two factorial RCBDs with 3 replications and 8 treatments. Bajura local variety was used. Four levels of phosphorous 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1 were used and for mulching, silver on black plastic mulch and no mulch (control) was used. It was observed that both mulching and phosphorous levels influenced the growth and yield of potatoes. Plant height (39.90 cm), number of leaves (439.98) was significantly highest in silver in black plastic mulch whereas haulm number was significantly highest in no mulch condition. In the same way, significantly highest plant height (44.36 cm), haulm number (4.15), and the number of leaves (442.10) were found on 100 kg ha-1 P level. The main effect of mulching and phosphorous level was found to increase the yield but no interaction was observed. The highest average tuber weight, yield per plant and number of tubers per plant were found on silver in black plastic mulch. Average tuber weight is highest at 150 kg ha-1 phosphorous level. The number of tuber per plant was highest for silver on black plastic mulch and 100 kg ha-1. Marketable and non-marketable tubers were significantly higher at silver on black plastic (8.55 & 3.1) and 100 kg ha-1(10.45 & 3.46). The overall performance was superior in silver on black plastic mulch and 100 kg ha-1 P level with significant B: C ratio.