Abstract:
In Bangladesh, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) lacks optimum quality for export or processing
industries. Optimum utilization of specific plant nutrients can improve quality. The experiment
was conducted to evaluate the best dose(s) of phosphorus in combination with potassium sources
as they affect potato tuber quality. The experiment consisted the factors: phosphorus dose(4); P1
= 200 kg ha-1 TSP @ 42.55 kg ha-1 P; P2 = 220 kg ha-1 TSP @ 46.81 kg ha-1 P, P3 = 240 kg
ha-1 TSP @ 51.06 kg ha-1 P and P4 = 260 kg ha-1 TSP @ 55.32 kg ha-1 P, and potassium
sources (3); K1= KCl (250 kg ha-1 KCl @130 kg ha-1 K), K2 = KH2PO4 (452.19 kg ha-1
KH2PO4 @130 kg ha-1 K) and K3 = K2SO4 (288.6 kg ha-1 K2SO4 @130 kg ha-1 K). The
interaction of phosphorus doses and potassium sources affected most parameters studied. The
highest yield (35.35 t ha-1), caned (10.35 t ha-1), chips (28.06 t ha-1), and French fry (0.367 t
ha-1) were from P3K2, P4K2, P3K2, P3K1 respectively; the lowest yield (30.90 t ha-1), caned
(5.59 t ha-1) and chips (20.01 t ha-1) were from P1K3, P4K1, P1K3 respectively. The highest
dry matter (22.85%), starch (17.936%), antioxidant (630.12 Trolox μMol/100 g FW), and
polyphenol (92.994 GA mg/100 g FW) were from P1K3; the lowest reducing sugar (0.1713 mg
g-1 FW) and non-reducing sugar (0.3290 mg g-1 FW) were from P1K3. It appeared that 200 kg
ha-1 TSP @ 42.55 kg ha-1 P as a dose of phosphorus and K2SO4 as sources of potassium may
be a suitable combination to produce export and processing quality potato.
