Effects of blended NPS fertilizer rates on yield and yield components of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties at Dessie Zuria district, Northeast Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, the average yield of potato is far below the potential due to different problems like in low soil fertility. Hence, this research was done to evaluate the effects of blended NPS fertilizer rates on yield and yield components of potato. The study was conducted at Abaso Kotu, Dessie Zuria district, Ethiopia, during dry season of 2015. The experiment was consisted a factorial combination of two late maturing potato varieties (Belete and Local) and six NPS fertilizer rates (0:0 (T1), 111:89.7:0 (T2), 111:89.7:16.52 (T3), 55:89.7:16.52 (T4), 111:44.85:8.26 (T5) and 55:44.85, 8.26 (T6)) kg ha-1 and Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications was used. The highest potato plant height was recorded on 111: 89.7:16.52 (T3) kg ha-1 of NPS fertilizer rate. Belete variety supplied with 111: 89.7:16.52 (T3) kg ha-1 of NPS fertilizer rate recorded the maximum days (124.3) to maturity of potato. Similarly, Belete variety recorded the higher biomass than local variety. The 111:89.7:16.52 (T3) kg ha-1 and 55.5:89.7:16.52 (T4) kg ha-1 NPS fertilizer rates showed the highest above ground biomass and underground biomass of potato, respectively. The highest average tuber number per hill, tuber weight per hill, marketable, unmarketable and total tuber yield were recorded on potato which was applied with 55.5: 89.7:16.52 (T3) kg ha-1 of NPS fertilizer rate. It is concluded that 55.5:89.7:16.52 (T4) kg ha-1 NPS fertilizer rate application is recommended for the production of potato varieties at Abaso Kotu, Dessie Zuria District Ethiopia.