Irrigation and fertilization effects on yield of potatoes in West Bengal

Summary

Three different doses of irrigation viz. 8 inches, 16 inches and 24 inches were applied with 2 inches of irrigation each time in combination with two different levels of nitrogen (N₈₀ and N₁₆₀). The levels of phosphate and potash were kept constant P₁₆₀ and K₈₀).

• 1. In a dry season the differences in yield of potatoes due to different doses of irrigation was found to be significant at 1 per cent level, whereas, yield differences due to different levels of nitrogen were not significant.

• 2. Although irrigation increased the yield, applications of large amounts of water did not necessarily produce higher yields.

• 3. Four applicaions using 2 inches of water at a time applied frequently enough to prevent excessive drying seem adequate for potatoes in West Bengal.

• 4. In a wet growing season differences in yield due to different amounts of irrigation were not significant, whereas the yield differences due to different levels of nitrogen were significant at the 1 per cent level.

• 5. The effects of interaction between irrigation and manure (I x M) was not statistically significant.