dc.description.abstract | Phosphorus (P) is an essential element and its efficient use is of global
importance. This study evaluated the effect of growing potato under legume
intercrops on P uptake and use efficiency indices: P harvest index
(PHI), P uptake efficiency (PuPE), P partial factor productivity (PPFP) and P
partial balance (PPB). The experiment was carried out for four consecutive
seasons with treatments comprising potato cultivated under legume intercrops:
none (T1), dolichos (Lablab purpureus L) (T2), peas (Pisum sativum L)
(T3) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) (T4). Across the seasons, the mean
haulm P uptake for T2 (6.7 kg P ha 1), T4 (5.5) and T3 (4.5) were 6%, 23%
and 36% lower than that observed in T1 (7.1 kg P ha 1), respectively. On
the other hand, tuber P uptake was highest in T1 (21.8 kg P ha 1) and T2
(21.3 kg P ha 1) and were significantly higher than 13.2 kg P ha 1 in T3
and 15.1 kg P ha 1 in T4. This had a profound effect on PuPE, which was
equally highest in T1 (0.26 kg total P uptake kg 1 P supply) and T2 (0.25)
and lowest in T3 (0.16) and T4 (0.18). Similarly, PPFP, PHI and PPB followed
a similar trend, with highest values in T1 (57 kg tuber dry matter yield
kg 1 P supply, 76.4 kg tuber P uptake kg 1 total plant’s P uptake and
0.20 kg tuber P uptake kg 1 P supply, respectively). Among the tested legume
intercrops, dolichos competed least for P with the main crop (potato)
hence it can be integrated into potato-based cropping systems without
compromising potato tuber yield. | en_US |