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Four genotypes of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), namely Kufri Satluj, Kufri Badshah, Kufri Bahar, and Kufri Kuber, were field grown to study the effect of application of four levels of potassium (K) fertilizer (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg (K 2 O) ha −1 ) on growth, yield, and economic parameters. A fertilizer dose of 200 kg nitrogen (N) and 100 kg phosphorus (P 2 O 5 ) ha −1 was applied uniformly in the form of urea and diammonium phosphate, respectively. During the growth period, parameters, viz plant height, shoot biomass, tuber biomass, tuber bulking rate, tuber population, and average tuber weight, were determined at 65 and 90 days after sowing (DAS). Yield parameters, viz aggregate and grade-wise tuber yield (large, medium, and small grade, weighing >75 g, 30-75 g, and <30 g, respectively), tuber population, and average tuber weight as well as economic parameters, viz gross return, net return, return per rupee invested, and net production value, were recorded at harvest. All the parameters were significantly affected by increasing K application rates, with potassium application at 225 kg K 2 O ha −1 resulting in the highest value for the growth parameters. Progressive application of potassium fertilizer up to 225 kg K 2 O ha −1 significantly increased the yield of aggregate and large-grade tubers. The optimum K dose for the yield of medium-grade tubers was 150 kg K 2 O ha −1 , while that for small-grade tubers was 0 kg K 2 O ha −1 (no K application) as the former reached a plateau at 225 kg K 2 O ha −1 and the latter decreased with increasing K application rates. Large-grade tubers offered the highest contribution to the aggregate yield. The growth and yield performance of the genotypes was truly reflected in the gross and net economic returns, with 225 kg K 2 O ha −1 proving the best K level. However, return per rupee invested and the net production value showed a different trend, with 75 kg K 2 O ha −1 giving the highest value for Kufri Satluj and Kufri Badshah, and 150 kg K 2 O ha −1 proving the best K level for Kufri Bahar and Kufri Kuber. Genotypic differences and the interaction between genotypes and K levels were significant for most parameters studied.

In a field experiment, four genotypes of potato were grown with graded levels of potassium (K) (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg K 2 O ha À1 ) with a uniform dose of nitrogen (N) (200 kg ha À1 ) and phosphorus (P) (100 kg P 2 O 5 ha À1 ) to study their performance with regard to growth, yield, and economic parameters. Growth parameters (above ground plant biomass and tuber bulking rate), tuber yield, and the yield components (tuber population, average tuber weight), as well as economic parameters (net return, return per rupee invested and net production value) were significantly affected by increasing K application rates. Potassium application at 150 kg K 2 O ha À1 proved ORDER REPRINTS to be optimum dose for most parameters studied. Progressive application of K significantly increased the aggregate as well as large and medium grade tuber yields, with concomitant decrease in the yield of small grade tubers. The highest contribution of large grade tubers (>75 g) to the aggregate yield was found to be mainly due to the large size of the tuber; while medium grade tubers contributed it through size as well as number of tubers. Genotypes differed in optimum and maximum yield. Agronomic efficiency of all the genotypes had maximum value at 75 kg K 2 O ha À1 , which decreased with increase in K dose. The yield performance of the genotypes was truly reflected in the net economic returns, with 150 kg K 2 O ha À1 proving the optimum K level. However, return per rupee invested and net production value showed a reverse trend, with 75 kg K 2 O ha À1 proving as the best K application rate. Genotypic differences, with regard to the parameters studied and the interaction between K levels and the genotypes, were significant for most parameters.