Effect of cover crops on improving soil fertility, yield and yield components of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Agria cultivar

This study was carried out at the research farm of Agriculture faculty, Bu- Ali Sina university in 2009, to evaluate the effect of cover crop residue on improving soil fertility, yield and yield components of potato. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replications. The trial included of seven treatments consists of no cover crop, rye, barley and triticale each one with common plant density and triple plant. The results showed that rye and barley with triple plant density produced 15035 and 13922 Kg.ha-1, respectively and were prior to the than other treatments. Soil physical properties were affected significantly by cover crops, so rye, barley and triticale with triple and rye with common plant density, increased organic carbon 26, 25, 21 and 25 percent, respectively in compare with control treatment. Rye and barley with triple and rye with common plant density, showed the lowest soil specific weight than control. There was a significant correlations between organic carbon percentage, soil specific weight and number of large potato tubers with potato tuber yield. Rye and barley with triple plant density and rye with common plant density in compare to control increased tuber yield of potato 14.6, 15.3 and 21.8 ton/ha, respectively. These treatments increased the number of large potato tuber 33, 27and 42 percent, respectively in compare with control.