Effect of seeds size and organic fertilization on some traits of vegetative growth, quantitative and qualitative yield for the potato (Solanum tubersoum L.)

Abstract

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted in the field of one of the potato farmers in Babylon province, Al-Dabla region, which is located about 17 km south of Al-Hilla city in the autumn season 7/9/2017 in order to study the effect of seeds size (25-35 mm and greater than 35 mm) and organic fertilization which include [control (without fertilization), the granulated Humic (500 kg.ha-1), the manufactured Poultry fertilizer (3 tons.ha-1), and Chemical fertilization NPK equivalent (20: 20: 20) at a rate of (600 kg.ha-1)]. The field experiment was designed with a split plots system according to the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), where the seed size was placed in the main plots and fertilization treatments in the sub-plots. The results showed that the significant excelling for the medium potato seeds size (larger than 35 mm) on the small potato seeds size (25-35 mm) in the length of the plant. while it did not affect other traits. Also, the organic superiority for the treatment of organic fertilization (Humic) in plant height, the number of Aerial stems and the leaf area, The weight of the suitable tuber for marketing, and the percentage of phosphorus compared to the control treatment (without fertilization), while the chemical fertilization achieved the highest percentage of potassium. The results of the bi-interaction showed significant superiority for the size greater than 35 mm and the fertilization of the poultry wastes in the length of the plant, while the size of the large seeds and the fertilization with the humic in the number of Aerial stems, the leaf area and the percentage of potassium. The size of (25-35 mm) and the fertilization with poultry wastes gave the highest number of total tubers and the percentage of phosphorus, while the small seeds size and the fertilization with the humic achieved the highest weight for the tuber, the bi-interaction between the small seeds size and the control treatment gave the highest percentage of starch.