Location Specific Nutrient Management for Sweet Potato in Coastal Saline Soils of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive  rabi (winter) seasons during 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 in an Alfisol to optimize the doses of N, P and K for sustainable production of good quality tubers in sweet potato in the coastal saline soil of Andhra Pradesh. The results of the study revealed that Pusa Safed was superior among the seven genotypes in tuber and vine production (13.6 and 14.3 t ha-1 respectively) followed by Kishan and Samrat. Application of 75% of the recommended dose of NPK resulted in significantly highest tuber yield (13.1 t ha-1) and starch content (19.8 %). Significantly highest starch content (21.3 %) was observed in Kishan. Crop uptake of N, P, and K was significantly higher in Pusa Safed, Kishan and Samrat. Incorporation of FYM @ 5 t ha-1 resulted in higher yield, quality and uptake of nutrients over that of 50% NPK. However, the white-fleshed genotypes exhibited higher yield potential and bio-chemical constituents than the orange-fleshed, indicating that the white-fleshed genotypes were relatively tolerant to salinity stress. Thus, the results indicated that application of 75% of NPK was sufficient and the white-fleshed genotypes, Pusa Safed, Kishan and Samrat were tolerant to moderate salinity (> 10 dS m  -1) as these genotypes produced sustainable yields of good quality tubers. This package offers good scope for food and nutritional security in the coastal saline soils of Eastern India.