Abstract

The study was carried out in the first and second seasons of 2015 and the first season of 2016 at Kachwekano and Kalengyere stations of Kachwekano Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Rubanda county, Kabale district. A Completely Randomised Block Design was adopted with three replications and 4 treatments. The treatments composed of T1: Control, T2: 100 kg/ha N:P:K, T: 150 kg/ha N:P:K, and T4: 200 kg/ha N:P:K. Data was analyzed using Genstat computer package 13th Edition and significant means were separated using Fisher’s Least significant difference at 5%. Application of N:P:K fertilizer enhanced the growth, yield components and total tuber yield of Kachpot1 potato variety. The highest number of haulms (3.361), plant height (48.50 cm), percentage of big tubers (86.27), yield of big tubers (91.94) and returns on investments of 1.42 were registered at an application rate of N:P:K of 200 kg/ha. The research revealed that, application of N:P:K fertilizer improves the yield and profitability of Kachpot1 potato variety.

Key words: Productivity, fertilizer, potato yield, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium.