Nitrogen Management Strategies for Enhancing Genotypic Performance and Soil Health in Potato Agroecosystems

Abstract

A field experiment was directed at Agriculture Research Panjgur, Balochistan, during Rabi season 2022–23 with a RCBD split plot arrangement to find out the effect of different potato genotypes and nitrogen levels on the post-harvest soil properties. The potato genotypes, i.e., X1, X2, X3, and X8, are applied to the main plot, while nitrogen levels, i.e., 50, 150, and 250 kg ha-1, are applied to subplots. The effect of different potato genotypes and nitrogen levels is recorded on postharvest soil chemical properties, i.e., pH, electrical conductivity, lime content, organic matter, and texture, as well as soil NPK and carbon level. The crop is harvested at maturity, and samples are collected from all plots, cleaned, packed, libeled, and transpired in a laboratory incubator for analysis. The experiment was arranged in two sites, i.e., sit-I has only the effect of genotypes, while site-II has the effect of genotypes as well as different nitrogen levels. The result of the sample analysis at site-I shows that X7 increases the EC while pH is increased by the X7 genotype. The highest organic matter, N and P, were observed in the plot with a genotype of X8, while the highest mineral nitrogen was observed in the plot with a genotype of X3. The highest lime content was observed in the plot with a genotype of X4. The result at site II is that different nitrogen levels and genotypes have behaved differently on soil EC. The maximum EC was recorded at 250 kg ha1 of N, while the minimum was recorded at 50 kg ha1, while the response of the genotype to the nitrogen level on the EC gives the maximum value in the genotypes X3, X4, and X5. The soil pH is in an increasing trend with increasing N levels, while the effect of genotype on nitrogen levels on pH, X5, gives the maximum value. The phosphorus and potassium give the same response to genotype; the maximum value of both is observed in the X7, while the maximum P was observed in the plot receiving 50 kg ha1. and maximum k was observed in the plot received 150 kg ha-1. Minerals N, OM, and lime give the maximum value to genotype X4. Response to N fertilizer is the is the same in OM, and Mineral N obtained the maximum value at 150 kg ha1, while phosphorus gave the maximum value at 50 kg ha1.