Muhammad Idrees, Muhammad Akbar Anjum, Abo ul Hassan, Javed Iqbal Mirza
The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of various combinations of different levels of NPK i.e. 0, 50, 75, and 100% recommended dose and potassium humate (K. humate) i.e. 0, 8, 12, and 16 kg ha-1 on yield parameters and economic performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Cardinal under agro-climatic conditions of Multan (Pakistan). For the purpose, four field experiments, two for each of autumn and spring crops, were conducted during 2010-11 and 2011-12. NPK and K. humate application resulted in a significant improvement in yield attributes such as tuber number, tubers yield, tuber dry weight, biological yield, and harvest index. The interaction between both fertilizers also caused a significant effect on tuber fresh and dry weights and biological yield. There was a significant and economically positive response of both autumn and spring crops to the applied NPK and K. humate levels. The highest tuber yield and harvest index were obtained at the application of 100% NPK recommended dose along with 16 kg K. humate ha-1. However, the highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) was recorded with 75% NPK recommended dose + 16 kg K. humate ha-1 in the case of autumn crops and with 100% NPK recommended dose + K. humate 16 kg ha-1 in spring crops. The autumn crops were more beneficial than spring crops due to higher tuber yield and BCR value.