Comparative Scientific Analysis of the Effects of Chemical Fertilizer and Biofertilizer on Growth Performance and Farm Yield of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.)

Abstract

Field research was conducted at the Swami Vivekanand Subharti University’s Crop Research Farm in Meerut, UP during the rabi season of 2025 to explore and compare the impact of chemical and bio-fertilizers alone and together on the growth and yield of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). The study was designed as a randomized block design (RBD) with 6 treatments, and each treatment was replicated 4 times using the Kufri Bahar variety of potatoes. The treatments include control (no fertilizer) (T1), 100% of the Recommended Fertilizer Dosage (RFD, 150 kg N; 80 kg P2O5; 100 kg K2O/ha) (T2), Biofertilizer only (T3) (Azotobacter chroococcum + Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria), and 3 levels of integrated application (T4; T5; T6) of biofertilizer with 50%, 75% and 100% of the RFD. All parameters related to both growth (plant height, number of stems and leaves, leaf area index and dry weight) and yield (number of tubers produced, average weight of tubers, marketable and total yield of tubers) were assessed. The yield of potato tubers when applying bio-fertilizer in combination with chemical fertilizer has been shown to be greater than using each of those two types of input separately. The highest total tuber yield was generated with the combined application of bio-fertilizers and chemical fertilizer at a rate of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (T6): 31.2 t ha-1. The next best result came from the application of bio-fertilizers and chemical fertilization at a rate of 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (T5): 29.1 t ha-1; because these two applications were statistically equal, T5 provided the best benefit/cost ratio. Bio-fertilizers alone (T3) increased tuber yield over the control but did not approach yields obtained when using chemical fertilizers alone. The data indicate that, in western Uttar Pradesh’s Indo-Gangetic Plains, using a combination of bio-fertilizers with lower levels of chemical fertilizer has the potential to provide an economically profitable production system for potato farmers and an agronomically efficient and economically viable production system for sustainable potato production.