DOI : 10.26480/aedc.01.2024.45.52

ABSTRACT

The lack of knowledge regarding the appropriate rates and methods for applying nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P) fertilizers often leads to deficiency and toxicity symptoms in potato fields in Talkot, resulting in low yields due to either very high or very low fertilizer application. To address this issue, an experiment was conducted in the Talkot Rural Municipality of Bajhang District to evaluate the effects of different NPK fertilizer rates on the growth, yield, and profitability of the Cardinal potato variety. This study employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five treatments (0:0:0 kg/ha, 100:100:60 kg/ha, 50:50:0 kg/ha, 50:50:30 kg/ha, and 150:150:90 kg/ha NPK fertilizers) and four replications. Analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range test showed that the 150:150:90 kg/ha NPK treatment resulted in the highest values for plant height, canopy diameter, number of leaves, number of branches, number of main stems, tuber diameter, tuber weight, and shoot weight per hill, while the 0:0:0 kg/ha NPK rate had the lowest values. Economic analysis indicated that the 150:150:90 kg/ha NPK rate offered the highest benefit-cost ratio and gross returns compared to other treatments. Therefore, the 150:150:90 kg/ha NPK rate was identified as the optimal rate for the Cardinal potato variety, maximizing growth, yield, and profitability. These findings suggest that potato farmers in Talkot Rural Municipality would significantly benefit from adopting the 150:150:90 kg/ha NPK rate for the Cardinal variety to achieve higher yields and greater profits.