Integrated effect of organic waste and NPK fertilizers on nutrients uptake in potato crop and soil fertility

The present research was carried out at Nuclear Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar Pakistan, to evaluate the integrated response of organic waste and N-P-K fertilizers to nutrients concentration in potato tuber and soil fertility. Fifteen treatment combinations with three replications were used in RCB design. Potato tubers and soil samples (0-15 and 15-30 cm depth) was collected before and after the experiment were analyzed. Data indicated that combined use of organic waste and N-P-K fertilizers significantly improved soil fertility and nutrients concentration in potato tuber. Higher nitrogen (N) (2.10g 100g -1 ), phosphorus (P) (0.30g 100g -1 ) and potassium (K) (3.16g 100g -1 ) concentration were recorded with treatments (municipal solid waste (MSW)+ half NPK) and (Filter cake +full NPK) as compared to control. Maximum total soil N, AB-DTPA extractable P, K and micronutrients were recorded with (MSW+ half NPK) and (Filter cake +full NPK) at both depths. Investigation revealed that the combined use of organic waste and chemical fertilizers beneficial to soil and plant. Moreover, treatments (MSW +full NPK) and (Filter cake + full NPK) seemed to be an adequate dose, for sustainable nutrients concentration in potato tuber and soil fertility.