PERFORMANCE OF BIOFERTILIZER TREATMENTS AND VARIABILITY ANALYSIS FOR GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY TRAITS IN APICAL ROOTED CUTTING POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.)

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important vegetable crop contributing significantly to food and nutritional security. The present investigation was conducted during rabi 2023-24 and kharif 2023-24 at the College of Agriculture, Hassan, to assess variability parameters, heritability, genetic advance and treatment performance for growth, yield and quality traits in apical rooted cutting (ARC) potato under different biofertilizer applications. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replications using cultivar Kufri Himalini. Significant variation was observed among treatments for most of the studied traits during rabi, kharif and pooled seasons. Higher phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for most traits indicated the influence of environmental factors on trait expression. High GCV and PCV along with high heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for number of branches, plant spread, tuber yield and starch content, indicating the substantial variation and the potential usefulness of these traits for selection. Analysis of variance revealed significant treatment differences for most growth, yield and quality traits across seasons. Among the treatments, Azotobacter and Trichoderma recorded superior performance for important traits including plant spread, branching behaviour, leaf area, tuber yield and starch content. The pooled analysis further confirmed the consistency of these traits across seasons. Traits such as number of branches, number of haulms, plant spread, tuber yield and starch content were identified as important selection criteria for growth, yield and quality performance ARC potato. The results also highlighted the beneficial role of suitable biofertilizer applications in enhancing growth, productivity and quality in ARC potato cultivation under Hassan conditions.