Effect of Graded Levels of Nitrogen and Potassium on Growth, Nutrient Content and Uptake of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas. L.) in Vertisols of Maharashtra

An investigation was carried out to assess nutrient content and uptake of sweet potato under application of nitrogen and potassium. Sweet potato is an important tuber crop which requires an efficient cropping management to ensure adequate nutrient content and uptake for growth and development of the crop. The experiment was conducted with four levels of nitrogen (0, 75, 100 and 125 kg/ha) and three levels of potassium (0, 75 and 100 kg/ha) in a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications and twelve treatments. The field Experiment was conducted in kharif season during the year 2015-2016 on fine texture Vertisols. Data was recorded on length of main vine, length of subsidiary vine, leaf area index and nutrient content and uptake. The results indicated clearly that main vine and subsidiary vine length, leaf area index and concentration of nutrients in leaf, stem and tubers of sweet potato were significantly higher at 125 kg of nitrogen from urea + 100 kg potassium ha-1 from muriate of potash treatment. In general, higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in tuber were found as compared to stem and leaf. The higher N, P, K and S content and uptake were recorded by application of 125 kg N and 100 kg K ha-1 in block soils of Marathwad region of Maharashtraj.