Synergistic effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on potato yield and soil nutrient status

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Published

2026-09-30

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58993/ijh/2026.83.3.11

Keywords:

Biofertilizer, organic fertilization, nutrients availability, rice residue, vermicompost, potato yield.
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Issue

Vol. 83 No. 03 (2026): Indian Journal of Horticulture

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Deepak Kumar, Amrendra Kumar, Sajeel Ahamad, Bhayankar .

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors

  • Deepak Kumar Department of Agronomy, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur 848125, Bihar, India
  • Amrendra Kumar Department of Agronomy, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India
  • Sajeel Ahamad Division of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, ICAR- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
  • Bhayankar . Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Potato, a nutrient-exhaustive crop, depends heavily on external nutrient inputs, and the prolonged use of chemical fertilizers has raised serious concerns regarding soil degradation and environmental sustainability. In this context, the present study evaluated the efficacy of organic nutrient management as a sustainable alternative by examining its effects on potato productivity, nutrient uptake, and soil nutrient availability. The experiment revealed that the integrated application of rice residue incorporation (5 t ha⁻¹), biofertilizers (Azotobacter, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, and Trichoderma viride @ 5 kg ha⁻¹), and vermicompost (7.5 t ha⁻¹) significantly enhanced the number of tubers per plant compared to sole chemical fertilization. Notably, the organic treatment produced tuber yields statistically comparable to those obtained with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), indicating its potential to substitute conventional inputs without compromising productivity. In addition, organic nutrient management improved the uptake of essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and increased their availability in soil, reflecting enhanced nutrient cycling and soil fertility. The synergistic effects of organic inputs likely promoted better soil structure, microbial activity, and sustained nutrient release. Overall, the findings demonstrate that integrated organic nutrient management can maintain potato yield while improving soil health, thereby offering a viable and environmentally sustainable alternative to chemical fertilization in intensive cropping systems.

How to Cite

Kumar, D., Kumar, A., Ahamad, S., & ., B. (2026). Synergistic effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on potato yield and soil nutrient status. Indian Journal of Horticulture, 83(03), 335–341. https://doi.org/10.58993/ijh/2026.83.3.11

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