Effect of seed bio-fertilization on tuber yield and yield components of three potato cultivars

In order to study the effect of tuber inoculation with Azotobacter, super nitro-plus and super nitro biofertilizers on tuber yield of three potato cultivars (Agria, Satina and Kozima) in cold-semi-arid conditions, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design in Tabriz, Iran. Results revealed that the tuber bio-fertilization with Azotobacter, super nitro-plus and super nitro caused a decrease of 34%, 28% and 26% in the tubers with diameter of smaller than 40 mm, respectively. bio-fertilization with Azotobacter increased the tubers percentage with diameter of greater than 60 mm in the three studied potato cultivars. Treatments with higher tuber number per plant showed lower tuber weight after the control. Biologic yield of potato was 22.5 t.ha-1 in the control and increased up to 18%, 14% and 12% in tuber bio-fertilization with Azotobacter, super nitro-plus and super nitro, respectively. Based on the results, 79%, 75% and 78% of tuber yield in biofertilized seeds with Azotobacter were suitable for seed or edible tuber production in Agria, Satina and Kozima cultivars, respectively. These values were 63%, 73% and 76% in biofertilized seeds with super nitro-plus, 74%, 66% and 73% in biofertilized seeds with super nitro, and 49%, 41% and 45% in the control, respectively. In conclusion, it is recommended that potato farmers biofertilize potato tubers before planting in cold-semi-arid regions.