Do split application of nitrogen and boron influence the hybrid true seed production from potato mother plant?

Abstract

Two consecutive field experiments were conducted during the period from October 2013 and 2014 to April 2014 and 2015 to show the effect of split application of nitrogen (SN) and boron (B) on hybrid TPS. The TPS-67 (♂) and MF-II (♀) were used as a male and female parent, respectively. The experiment consisted of two factors i.e., factor-A; nitrogen splitting (4 levels): SN0= 2 split (conventional), SN1= 3 split, SN2= 4 split and SN3= 5 split (SN); and factor-B; boron (4 levels): B0= 0 kg B ha-1, B1= 4 kg B ha-1, B2= 6 kg B ha-1 and B3= 8 kg B ha-1 whereas SN and B were treated as main plot and sub-plot, respectively under split-plot design with three replications. We found that the split application of nitrogen and/or boron influenced the hybrid true seed production. The maximum yield of TPS plant-1 was found from SN1B3 (2160.1 mg) and the minimum yield was found from SN0B0 (1001.8 mg). The maximum yield of TPS ha-1 was found from SN1B3 (172.81 kg) and the minimum yield was found from SN0B0 (80.14 kg). The maximum weight of 100-TPS was found from SN3B3 (86.87 mg); whereas, the minimum from SN0B0. In conclusion, the combination of SN1B3 (3 split applications of N and 8 kg B ha-1) is best for producing a high amount of TPS from potato mother plant where the certified seed is the main bottleneck for the production of potato.