Effect of NPK Fertilizer on Growth Rate and Yields of Potato (solanum

tuberosum)
Introduction

Potato rank fourth among the world’s most important food crops after maize, wheat, and rice,
therefore its part of package which can be used in fighting food insecurity which is a result of
increasing population and changing climatic factors. The crop is rich in nutrients: carbohydrate,
amino acids, vitamin c, and many others that have made it an important part of daily diet
especially in developing nations.

Potato (solanum tuberosum) is an herbaceous tuber crop that grows up to 4 inches tall. The crop
does well in deep soil with slightly low Ph (4.8-6.5). optimum fertilization is required for
optimum yields. recommends integrated soil fertility management; whereby fully decomposed
organic matter is incorporated in the soil two months before planting, a scheme of mineral
fertilizer is applied at different growing stages of the crop. Because of its high crop nutrient
requirement, a scheme of fertilizer should consider time and amount to ensure good yields.

In Kenya potato production has been declining in recent years, the decline has been stimulated
by high population and poor outdated farming methods, it has been further escalated by
inadequate information available on potato fertilizer requirements. This has resulted to excessive
or under fertilization, which has be the cause of yield variation and soil toxicity.

This research therefore intents to provide a fertilizer package of NPK as outcome, the package
scheme will take in consideration the ecological regions and timing of different growth stages of
potato. This will ensure maximum profits returns on the farmers’ investment which directly
translates to high living standards and good economy state of the nation.

Statement of the problem

With increasing population and high rate of unemployment has made agriculture a solution. a
need for diversification and profitable optimum yield in agriculture is required to cater for the
demand and offer a solution to unemployment, hence a fertilization package scheme for
alternative crops especially potato is of great importance to individual farmer and the whole
nation.