Splitting of Nitrogen and Boron: a new dimension for quality TPS

Quality True Potato Seed (TPS) is the main bottleneck for the utilization and expansion of potato production through TPS technology in Bangladesh. Some plant nutrients viz., Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and Boron (B) may put contribution for the production of quality TPS. The maximum weight of 100-TPS was found from SN3B3 (86.87 mg); whereas, the minimum from SN0B0. True potato seed produced from SN3B3 contained maximum protein (11.01 %), lipid (21.95 %) and also performed maximum germination (98.11 %), whereas the SN0B0 exhibited worst one. Though, the combination of SN1B3 (3 split applications of N and 8 kg B ha-1) produced the maximum TPS yield (172.81 kg ha-1) but, on the basis of quality parameters; 100-TPS weight (mg), protein (%), lipid (%) and (%) germination (%); SN3B3, SN2B3 and SN2B2 combinations showed statistical similar results. From the economic point of view, the combination of SN2B2 (4 split applications of N and 6 kg B ha-1) is the best for producing quality TPS from potato mother plant under prevailing climatic condition of Bangladesh.