Growth and Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Granola as response to calcium supplementation

Abstract

A number of studies have provided evidence that calcium (Ca) involved in tuberization process of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of calcium application on several growth variables and tubers yield of potato grown in field. Seed of potato var Granola were raised at three different Ca levels that equivalent to the rate of 40, 80, and 160 kg.ha-1, which were supplied from two different Ca sources, CaSO4.2H20 (gypsum) and MgCO3.CaCO3 (dolomite). Each treatment consisted of two replications. The calcium was applied as basal treatment, and all plots received the same amount of N, P and K. The experiment was conducted during August and October 2016 at Horticulture Seed Station of Karo District, Kabanjahe, North Sumatera, where soil type is sandy loam, with the pH of 5.2 and exchangeable soil calcium level of 0,83 meq.100g-1. In general, plants subjected to calcium supplementation, either from gypsum or dolomite, out-performed the control and exhibited significantly higher plant and wider plant canopy, whereas no difference on the number of mainstem. Tuber yield reduction, however, were observed among the calcium fertilization though it was not apparently statistically significant.