Study the effect of plant growth biostimulants on total tuber yield, marketable tuber ‎yield and qualitative characteristics of potato‏ ‏‎(Sante cultivar)‎

This research was conducted to investigate the influence of plant growth biostimulants on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of potato (Solanum tubersom cv. Sante) in randomized complete blocks design with eight treatments and three replications at Behbahan Agricultural Research Station in one year (2019-2020). Treatments included: control (no application of plant growth biostimulants), humic acid, free amino acid (L), amino acid-Zn, amino acid-K, amino acid-Ca, amino acid-K-Ca and combine application of humic acid, amino acid-Zn and amino acid-K-Ca. The results showed plant growth biostimulants (except free amino acid) significantly increased total and marketable tuber yield as compared with control. The treatment of combined significantly increased total and marketable yield in comparision to other treatments. Biostimulants significantly decreased unmarketable yield and its components (small tubers, cracked tubers and tubers with secondary growth) as compared with control. Application of biostimulants significantly increased the tuber protein percentage and concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus (except amino acid-K, amino acid-Ca and amino acid-K-Ca) and potassium tubers (except amino acid-Ca). Amino acid-Ca and the treatment of combined significantly increased dry matter content. Application of growth biostimulants (except amino acid-K and amino acid-Ca) significantly decreased concentration of tuber nitrate. According to the results, application of combined plant growth biostimulants for cultivation of Sante cultivar is recommended.