Effect of humic acid multinutrient fertilizers on yield and nutrient use efficiency of potato

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of humic acid multinutrient fertilizers like Grow Flow 45H and HA-NPK complex on crop yield, nutrient content and uptake, and nutrient use efficiency of potato. Application of Grow Flow 45H (humic acid multinutrient liquid fertilizer) at recommended dose increased the tuber yield by 9.3% as compared to chemical fertilizer. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content of the Grow Flow 45H treated plants were 2.89, 0.33 and 1.58% in shoots and 1.89, 0.21 and 1.03% in tubers, respectively which were significantly higher than the other treatments. Grow Flow 45H increased the N, P and K use efficiencies by 16.4%, 9.3% and 18.3% respectively over chemical fertilizer. Though HA-NPK complex fertilizer (developed in the laboratory) was not significantly different from chemical fertilizer in respect of yield, the contents and uptake, and use efficiencies of N, P and K; however the former was found better than the latter.