Productivity and Resource Use Efficiency of Potato under Nitrogen Fertigation through Subsurface Drip Irrigation with Mulching

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The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design comprising two drip methods (subsurface drip and surface drip) and eight treatment combinations: T1 (100% ETc + 100% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha⁻¹), T2 (100% ETc + 100% Nitrogen + No mulch), T3 (70% ETc + 100% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha⁻¹), T4 (70% ETc + 100% Nitrogen + No mulch), T5 (100% ETc + 70% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha⁻¹), T6 (100% ETc + 70% Nitrogen + No mulch), T7 (70% ETc + 70% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha⁻¹) and T8 (70% ETc + 70% Nitrogen + No mulch), with three replications, while the conventional practice (CP) was maintained for comparison. Results indicated that surface drip irrigation (SDI) performed better in potato as it significantly enhanced growth parameters such as plant height, biomass, relative leaf water content (RLWC), SPAD values, and leaf area index (LAI). Among the treatments, T1 consistently recorded the highest tuber yield, tuber count per plant, haulm yield, and water productivity, and was statistically at par with T5, indicating that a 30% saving in nitrogen was possible under mulching without yield penalty. Compared to conventional practice, all drip fertigation treatments significantly improved tuber yield, nitrogen uptake, and water productivity. Mulching played a crucial role in improving rhizospheric conditions, moisture retention, and nutrient use efficiency, particularly under reduced irrigation (70% ETc). Treatments T3 and T7 recorded significantly higher water productivity and were statistically comparable, highlighting the potential of deficit irrigation under mulching for sustainability. Subsurface drip irrigation water use efficiency fertigation mulching potato yield response Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 1. Introduction Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater worldwide, and water is equally essential for domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes (Mahmoud et al., 2020 ). However, water scarcity is becoming more acute in both developed and developing nations, a challenge further aggravated by declining groundwater reserves (Meena et al., 2020 ). In Punjab, this concern is particularly critical, as the estimated crop water requirement (4.53 mha-m) exceeds the available resources (3.26 mha-m) (Minhas et al., 2010 ). The dominance of the rice–wheat system has led to stagnating productivity and severe resource degradation (Kumar et al., 2018 ), highlighting the urgent need for water-efficient technologies and alternative cropping options. Potato, being a high-value and input-intensive crop, offers an attractive diversification option, but its productivity is highly sensitive to irrigation and nutrient management. Improving water and nutrient use efficiency in potato requires the adoption of advanced irrigation methods. Drip irrigation, both surface (SDI) and subsurface (SSDI), has demonstrated superior water use efficiency (WUE) and yield advantages over conventional irrigation (Pawar et al., 2013 ; Brar & Vashist, 2020 ). Although SDI may pose challenges of labor and maintenance, it reduces evaporation, weed growth, and disease incidence by delivering water close to the root zone (Hanson & May, 2004 ). SSDI further enhances water productivity and moderates soil temperature, making it particularly beneficial under water-scarce conditions. Alongside irrigation, nutrient management plays a critical role in potato production. Conventional nitrogen application is often inefficient, resulting in significant losses, particularly in light-textured soils. Drip fertigation, on the other hand, improves nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), synchronizes nutrient supply with crop demand, and enhances yield and tuber quality (Zhang et al., 2006 ; Bar-Yosef, 1999 ; Cerny et al., 2010 ). Mulching provides an additional advantage by conserving soil moisture, suppressing weeds, and improving both WUE and NUE (Lamont, 2005 ; Ni et al., 2016 ). Straw mulch, in particular, is a cost-effective option that modifies the rhizospheric microenvironment, thereby favoring root activity and tuber bulking. Thus, the integration of subsurface drip irrigation, fertigation, and mulching presents a holistic and sustainable approach for improving productivity, water and nutrient efficiency, and resource conservation in potato cultivation, especially under conditions of water scarcity and climate variability. 2. Materials and Methods The field study was conducted at the Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (30° 56'N latitude, 75° 52'E longitude, 247 m above MSL) during 2022–2024. The soil of the experimental site was loamy sand, slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.8), low in organic carbon (0.42%), and medium in available nitrogen (278.6 kg/ha), phosphorus (18.3 kg/ha), and potassium (270.2 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in randomised block design comprising two drip methods (subsurface drip and surface drip) and 8 treatment T1 (100% ET c + 100% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha − 1 ), T2 (100% ET c + 100% Nitrogen + No mulch), T3 (70% ET c + 100% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha − 1 ),T4 (70% ET c + 100% Nitrogen + No mulch), T5 (100% ET c + 70% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha − 1 ),T6 (100% ET c + 70% Nitrogen + No mulch), T7 (70% ET c + 70% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha- 1 ) and T8 (70% ET c + 70% Nitrogen + No mulch) replicated thrice across all three crops. The conventional practice (CP) was maintained for comparison 2.1 Plant height Plant height was recorded by measuring five randomly selected plants in each plot from the base at the soil surface to the apex of the plant. For potato, measurements were taken at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS), as well as at harvest. The average height of the five plants was calculated to represent the mean plant height for each plot. 2.2 Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) chlorophyll value Chlorophyll content in intact plant leaves was assessed using a Minolta SPAD 502 Chlorophyll Meter at 30, 60 and 80 days after sowing (DAS) for potato. The SPAD 502, developed by the Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) unit of Minolta Camera Co., Japan, is a compact, portable device designed for rapid and non-destructive chlorophyll estimation. For each observation, five plants were randomly selected from each treatment and readings were taken from the uppermost leaves. Care was taken to avoid positioning the midrib within the sensor area of the device. The final SPAD value was calculated as the average of five individual readings per treatment. 2.3 Leaf area index The Leaf Area Index (LAI) was measured using the Sunscan Canopy Analysis System – SS1, a portable device designed to assess incident and transmitted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) within crop canopies. Measurements were taken for potato at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing (DAS) The Sunscan probe, which is 1 meter in length and connected to a mobile display unit, was positioned just above the soil surface near the crop rows. For each treatment, observations were made in three crop rows and the LAI was calculated as the average of three readings per treatment. 2.4 Number of tubers and fresh tuber weight per plant in potato Following the harvest, the total number of tubers per plant was counted for each treatment. For this purpose, five potato plants were randomly selected from each treatment. The average number of tubers per plant was then calculated. Additionally, the tubers from all the plants were weighed to determine the average tuber weight per plant for each treatment. 2.5 Periodic crop biomass of potato For potato, the above ground biomass was measured by sun drying it and later oven dried at 75°C till constant weight was obtained. It was recorded as gram per plant periodically at 30, 60 DAS and at the harvest. 2.6 Relative leaf water content Relative Leaf Water Content (RLWC) was measured at 60 days after sowing (DAS), following the method proposed by Barrs and Weatherley (1962) and later refined by Esparza-Rivera et al (2006). For each treatment, leaf samples were collected from three randomly selected plants per plot. From each plant, two discs were taken from the lower, middle and upper leaves, resulting in six discs per plant and a total of eighteen discs per plot. These discs were immediately placed in polypropylene vials and weighed to determine fresh weight (FW). After soaking the discs in de-ionized water for four hours, they were weighed again to obtain the turgid weight (TW). Finally, the discs were oven-dried at 60°C until a constant dry weight (DW) was recorded. $$\:\text{R}\text{L}\text{W}\text{C}\:\left(\text{\%}\right)=\:\frac{\text{F}\text{W}-\text{D}\text{W}}{\text{T}\text{W}-\text{D}\text{W}}\times\:100$$ Where, FW = Fresh weight of plant sample (g) DW = Dry weight of plant sample (g) TW = Turgor weight of plant sample (g) 2.7 Tuber yield of potato In the case of potato, fresh tuber yield was recorded directly without drying. The recorded weights were then converted to yield hectare − 1 (t ha⁻¹). Similarly, the total above-ground biomass from the same plot area was collected and expressed in tonnes hectare − 1 for both potato and spring maize. 2.8 Harvest Index (HI) The harvest index was calculated to represent the efficiency of the crop in allocating biomass to economic yield. For potato, it was determined as the ratio of tuber yield to total biomass yield (tuber + haulm). The harvest index was expressed as a percentage. $$\:\text{H}\text{a}\text{r}\text{v}\text{e}\text{s}\text{t}\:\text{i}\text{n}\text{d}\text{e}\text{x}\:\left(\text{H}\text{I}\right)=\:\frac{\text{T}\text{u}\text{b}\text{e}\text{r}\left(\:\text{t}\:{\text{h}\text{a}}^{-1}\right)}{\text{T}\text{u}\text{b}\text{e}\text{r}\:+\text{H}\text{a}\text{u}\text{l}\text{m}\left(\:\text{t}\:{\text{h}\text{a}}^{-1}\right)}\:\times\:\:100$$ 2.9 BStatistical analysis To test the significance of treatments, the data of crops recorded in the field and laboratory on different aspects at various crop growth stages were statistically analyzed according to Cochran and Cox (1957). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out for soil and plant parameters using computer program CPSC-I (Cheema and Singh 1991). Randomized block design was used and comparisons were made at 0.05 level of significance. 3. Results 3.1 Crop growth parameter 3.1.1 Plant Height Plant height is an important growth parameter influenced by organic amendments, irrigation and nitrogen application. The data regarding the effects of the drip irrigation method, irrigation regimes, fertigation and mulch levels on plant height at 30, 60 and 80 days after sowing (DAS) are presented in Table 1 . Among the different irrigation methods, plant height was significantly higher under SDI at 30 DAS during both years. In 2022, plant height was 6.9 per cent higher under SDI compared to SSDI, while in 2023, it was 5.7 per cent higher. Table 1 Effect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on plant height (cm) of potato during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 Treatments Details Plant Height (cm) 2022 2023 Drip irrigation method (DI) 30 DAS 60 DAS 80 DAS 30 DAS 60 DAS 80 DAS SSDI : Subsurface drip irrigation 28.01 41.07 43.82 30.59 41.24 43.44 SDI : Surface drip irrigation 30.11 42.69 45.04 32.45 41.93 44.31 LSD(P < = 0.05) 1.17 NS NS 1.30 NS NS Treatments (T) T1 : 100% ET c + N100 + Mulch 35.00 48.67 50.21 37.48 47.28 50.50 T2 : 100% ET c + N100 + No mulch 29.11 42.86 45.12 34.78 42.45 44.38 T3 : 70% ET c + N100 + Mulch 29.83 44.49 45.86 34.65 42.62 45.00 T4 : 70% ET c + N100 + No mulch 26.17 38.67 41.36 27.65 38.18 40.01 T5 : 100% ET c + N70 + Mulch 32.33 46.79 49.79 36.12 45.83 47.29 T6 : 100% ET c + N70 + No mulch 26.11 37.65 42.50 29.00 37.62 40.67 T7 : 70% ET c + N70 + Mulch 28.17 42.28 42.96 33.67 42.12 43.67 T8 : 70% ET c + N70 + No mulch 25.78 33.65 37.65 25.53 35.62 38.50 LSD(P < = 0.05) 2.33 3.62 3.15 2.60 3.86 3.75 CP vs. drip irrigation CP : Conventional Practice 26.16 37.84 40.54 26.56 36.36 39.23 Drip irrigation 29.17 41.95 44.45 31.53 41.68 43.94 LSD(P < = 0.05) 2.40 3.73 3.24 2.67 3.97 3.85 DI × T NS However, the differences were non-significant at 60 and 80 DAS. Among the various treatments, the highest plant height at 30, 60 and 80 DAS during both years was recorded in treatment T1, which measured 35.00, 48.67 and 50.21 cm in 2022 and 37.48, 47.28 and 50.50 cm in 2023. This was statistically at par with T5. Treatments T2, T3 and T7 were also statistically similar, while the lowest plant height was observed in T8. When comparing CP vs drip irrigation treatments, plant height was significantly higher in the drip irrigation at 30, 60 and 80 DAS, respectively. Furthermore, there was no significant interaction between the drip irrigation method and treatments in influencing plant height. 3.1.2 Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) chlorophyll value Table 2 Effect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on SPAD of potato during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 Treatments Details SPAD 2022 2023 Drip irrigation method (DI) 30 DAS 60 DAS 75 DAS 30 DAS 60 DAS 75 DAS SSDI : Subsurface drip irrigation 32.66 42.54 33.38 33.14 46.88 37.34 SDI : Surface drip irrigation 33.74 43.11 33.53 33.30 47.35 37.65 LSD(P < = 0.05) NS NS NS NS NS NS Treatments (T) T1 : 100% ET c + N100 + Mulch 38.44 48.25 39.95 39.05 54.10 43.25 T2 : 100% ET c + N100 + No mulch 33.57 42.93 36.20 34.73 48.22 40.02 T3 : 70% ET c + N100 + Mulch 35.11 43.95 32.83 35.05 49.07 40.27 T4 : 70% ET c + N100 + No mulch 30.68 37.72 29.50 30.75 43.77 32.58 T5 : 100% ET c + N70 + Mulch 37.90 47.60 39.70 37.92 53.78 42.35 T6 : 100% ET c + N70 + No mulch 29.01 42.46 28.58 29.03 42.25 33.68 T7 : 70% ET c + N70 + Mulch 33.32 42.65 35.56 33.07 46.73 38.73 T8 : 70% ET c + N70 + No mulch 27.57 35.03 25.32 26.16 38.98 29.07 LSD(P < = 0.05) 2.42 2.64 3.23 2.18 2.70 1.92 CP vs. drip irrigation CP : Conventional Practice 30.23 39.31 29.27 28.89 44.0 33.12 Drip irrigation 33.21 42.81 33.54 33.21 47.13 37.50 LSD(P < = 0.05) 2.49 2.71 3.32 2.24 2.78 1.98 DI × T NS The rate of photosynthesis is controlled by chlorophyll content in the leaves. The chlorophyll content can be estimated non-destructively and in situ using SPAD meter at any particular crop stage. The amount of chlorophyll is therefore important for the evaluation of healthy growth and higher yield. It also indirectly measures the nitrogen content in the leaves. The data pertaining to the effect of the drip irrigation method, irrigation regimes, fertigation and mulch levels on SPAD values at 30, 60 and 75 DAS are presented in Table 2 . Among the different irrigation methods, there was no significant difference in SPAD values at any of the stages (30, 60 and 80 DAS) during both years. Across the various treatments, the highest SPAD values at all three growth stages were recorded in treatment T1 , with values of 38.44, 48.25 and 39.95 in 2022 and 39.05, 54.10 and 43.25 in 2023 at 30, 60 and 80 DAS, respectively. These values were statistically at par with those of treatment T5 . Treatments T2 , T3 and T7 showed statistically similar SPAD values, whereas the lowest SPAD readings were observed in T8, which recorded 25.57, 35.03 and 25.32 in 2022 and 26.1, 38.98 and 29.07 at the same intervals in 2023. When comparing the CP with the drip irrigation treatments, SPAD values were significantly higher in the drip irrigation, with values of 30.23, 33.31 and 29.27 in 2022 and 28.89, 44.0 and 33.12 in 2023 at 30, 60 and 80 DAS, respectively. Furthermore, the interaction between the drip irrigation method and the treatments had no significant effect on SPAD values. 3.1.3 Periodic Biomass Periodic biomass is an important index of plant growth and development at various stages. The data related to periodic biomass is presented in Table 3 . Biomass accumulation increased progressively with the advancement of plant age. The irrigation method, irrigation and nitrogen levels and mulch application significantly influenced periodic biomass in both years. Periodic biomass was significantly higher under surface drip irrigation (SDI) compared to subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI), with increases of 6.37, 3.10 and 9.53 per cent at 55 DAS, 75 DAS and harvest, respectively, in 2022 and 8.61, 4.32 and 6.59 per cent in 2023 at the corresponding stages. Among the various treatments, significantly higher periodic biomass of potato was recorded in T1, with values of 4.29, 7.29 and 9.20 t ha⁻¹ in 2022 and 4.70, 7.35 and 10.93 t ha⁻¹ in 2023 at 55 DAS, 75 DAS and harvest, respectively. T1 was statistically at par with T5, which recorded 4.18, 7.18 and 9.13 t ha⁻¹ in 2022 and 4.49, 6.89 and 10.24 t ha⁻¹ in 2023 at the same intervals. T3 recorded periodic biomass of 3.81, 6.94 and 8.09 t ha⁻¹ in 2022 and 3.94, 6.34 and 9.16 t ha⁻¹ in 2023, which was statistically at par with T2 and T7. The lowest biomass was recorded in T8, with values of 2.92, 5.92 and 7.40 t ha⁻¹ in 2022 and 2.61, 5.01 and 8.51 t ha⁻¹ in 2023 at 55 DAS, 75 DAS and harvest, respectively. When comparing the CP with the drip treatments, periodic biomass was significantly higher in the drip irrigation, with values of 3.63, 6.71 and 8.21 t ha⁻¹ in 2022 and 3.79, 6.13 and 9.40 t ha⁻¹ in 2023 at 55 DAS, 75 DAS and harvest, respectively. Furthermore, the interaction between the drip irrigation method and the treatments had no significant effect on periodic biomass. Table 3 Effect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on periodic biomass of potato during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 Treatments Details Periodic biomass (t ha − 1 ) 2022 2023 Drip irrigation method (DI) 50 DAS 65 DAS 75 DAS 50 DAS 65 DAS 75 DAS SSDI : Subsurface drip irrigation 3.52 6.55 7.78 3.50 5.97 9.07 SDI : Surface drip irrigation 3.76 6.76 8.60 3.83 6.24 9.71 LSD(P < = 0.05) 0.18 0.20 0.55 0.24 0.25 0.64 Treatments (T) T1 : 100% ET c + N100 + Mulch 4.29 7.29 9.20 4.70 7.35 10.93 T2 : 100% ET c + N100 + No mulch 3.67 6.67 7.98 3.75 6.15 9.15 T3 : 70% ET c + N100 + Mulch 3.81 6.94 8.09 3.94 6.34 9.16 T4 : 70% ET c + N100 + No mulch 3.76 6.76 7.92 3.14 5.54 9.04 T5 : 100% ET c + N70 + Mulch 4.18 7.18 9.13 4.49 6.89 10.24 T6 : 100% ET c + N70 + No mulch 3.06 6.06 7.86 3.07 5.47 8.97 T7 : 70% ET c + N70 + Mulch 3.43 6.43 7.97 3.70 6.10 9.10 T8 : 70% ET c + N70 + No mulch 2.92 5.92 7.40 2.61 5.01 8.51 LSD(P < = 0.05) 0.35 0.39 1.10 0.48 0.50 1.27 CP vs. drip irrigation CP : Conventional Practice 3.13 6.03 6.73 3.23 5.42 8.13 Drip irrigation 3.63 6.71 8.21 3.70 6.13 9.40 LSD(P < = 0.05) 0.36 0.40 1.13 0.50 0.51 1.31 DI × T NS 3.1.4 Relative Leaf Water Content (RLWC) The data pertaining to Relative Leaf Water Content (RLWC (%) as affected by different irrigation systems, irrigation regimes, fertigation and mulch levels are presented in Table 4 Relative Leaf Water Content was measured at 60 days after sowing (DAS). There were no significant differences in relative leaf water content among the different irrigation methods. Among the various treatments, the highest RLWC was recorded in treatment T1, with values of 77.22 and 78.45 per cent during the two years, which was statistically at par with T5. When comparing the CP with the drip treatments, no significant differences were observed. Furthermore, there was no significant interaction between the drip irrigation method and the treatments in influencing RLWC. Table 4 Effect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on RLWC of potato during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 Treatments Details Relative Leaf Water Content (RLWC) % 2022 2023 Drip irrigation method (DI) SSDI : Subsurface drip irrigation 73.46 74.21 SDI : Surface drip irrigation 74.26 74.83 LSD(P < = 0.05) NS NS Treatments (T) T1 : 100% ET c + N100 + Mulch 77.22 78.45 T2 : 100% ET c + N100 + No mulch 73.35 74.80 T3 : 70% ET c + N100 + Mulch 73.93 75.10 T4 : 70% ET c + N100 + No mulch 72.75 72.80 T5 : 100% ET c + N70 + Mulch 76.87 77.00 T6 : 100% ET c + N70 + No mulch 72.95 73.70 T7 : 70% ET c + N70 + Mulch 73.32 73.65 T8 : 70% ET c + N70 + No mulch 70.50 70.65 LSD(P < = 0.05) 3.14 2.61 CP vs. drip irrigation CP : Conventional Practice 72.6 74.8 Drip irrigation 73.9 74.5 LSD(P < = 0.05) NS NS DI × T NS 3.1.5 Leaf area index The data illustrating the impact of the drip irrigation method and levels, nitrogen levels, irrigation levels and mulching on the periodic leaf Area Index (LAI) is presented in Figs. 1 and 2 . Among the nitrogen treatments, the highest LAI was observed with the N100% during both years. In the year 2022–2023, the highest LAI values were recorded under the DIM100 combined with N100%, showing values of 0.20, 2.04, 4.12, 4.21 and 1.95 at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing (DAS). In 2023–2024, the highest LAI was again recorded under DIM100 with N 100%, In contrast, the lowest LAI values were observed under DI70 and SDI70. A similar trend was evident under the N70% treatment in both year. In both years, LAI increased progressively up to 80 days after planting, followed by a gradual decline during the later stages of crop growth. 3.1.6 Tuber weight and tuber count per plant Data pertaining to tuber weight and tuber count per plant during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 are presented in Table 6 . It was observed that among the irrigation methods, surface drip irrigation (SDI) recorded the highest tuber weight (56.77 g and 59.12 g) in both years. Across the treatments, significantly higher tuber weight was observed in treatment T1 (64.21 g and 64.67 g in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, respectively), which was statistically at par with treatment T5. treatment T3 was statistically at par with treatments T2 and T7. The lowest tuber weight was recorded under treatment T8 (46.55 g and 48.99 g in the respective years). Table 6 Effect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on tuber weight and tuber count per plant of potato during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 Treatments Details Tuber weight (g) and Tuber count per plant 2022 2023 Drip irrigation method (DI) Tuber weight (g) Tuber count plant − 1 Tuber weight (g) Tuber count plant − 1 SSDI : Subsurface drip irrigation 54.17 7.71 55.75 8.42 SDI : Surface drip irrigation 56.77 8.11 59.12 8.85 LSD(P < = 0.05) 1.67 0.36 1.71 0.39 Treatments (T) T1 : 100% ET c + N100 + Mulch 64.21 9.23 64.67 10.13 T2 : 100% ET c + N100 + No mulch 56.04 8.16 57.65 8.83 T3 : 70% ET c + N100 + Mulch 58.20 8.19 59.62 8.94 T4 : 70% ET c + N100 + No mulch 50.02 7.17 52.69 7.71 T5 : 100% ET c + N70 + Mulch 63.33 9.16 63.36 9.82 T6 : 100% ET c + N70 + No mulch 50.37 7.19 54.30 7.96 T7 : 70% ET c + N70 + Mulch 55.04 8.09 58.27 8.84 T8 : 70% ET c + N70 + No mulch 46.55 6.09 48.89 6.85 LSD(P < = 0.05) 3.33 0.72 3.42 0.77 CP vs. drip irrigation CP : Conventional Practice 51.9 7.0 53.4 7.8 Drip irrigation 55.5 7.9 57.4 8.6 LSD(P < = 0.05) 3.43 0.74 3.52 0.79 DI × T NS Compared to the CP, all drip irrigation treatments recorded significantly higher tuber weights in both years. There was no significant interaction between the drip irrigation method and the treatment. Data related to tuber count per plant (Table 4.6) showed that significantly higher tuber counts per plant were recorded under SDI. Among the treatments, the highest tuber count per plant was observed in treatment T1 (9.23 and 10.13 in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, respectively), which was statistically at par with treatment T5. treatments T2, T3 and T7 were also statistically similar. When compared to the CP, all drip irrigation treatments recorded significantly higher tuber counts per plant in drip irrigation. Similar to tuber weight, there was no significant interaction between the drip irrigation method and the treatments. 3.1.7 Tuber and Haulm yield The data presented in Table 7 indicate that among the irrigation methods, surface drip irrigation (SDI) resulted in the highest tuber yield, recording 26.19 t ha⁻¹ and 29.72 t ha⁻¹ during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, respectively. Among the treatments, treatment T1 produced the maximum tuber yield (28.74 t ha⁻¹ and 31.62 t ha⁻¹ in the respective years), which was statistically at par with treatment T5. treatment T3 showed statistical similarity with treatments T2 and T7. The lowest tuber yield was recorded under treatment T8 (20.74 t ha⁻¹ and 25.54 t ha⁻¹ in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, respectively). Compared to the CP, all drip irrigation treatments exhibited significantly higher tuber yields (25.6 t ha⁻¹ and 29.2 t ha⁻¹ in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, respectively). No significant interaction was observed between the irrigation methods and the treatments. Regarding haulm yield (Table 4.10), SDI again outperformed drip irrigation irrigation methods, resulting in significantly higher values. Among the treatments, treatment T1 recorded the highest haulm yield (9.21 t ha⁻¹ and 10.93 t ha⁻¹ in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, respectively), which was statistically comparable to treatment T5. treatments T2, T3 and T7 were found to be statistically at par. The lowest haulm yield was noted in treatment T8 (7.57 t ha⁻¹ and 7.62 t ha⁻¹ in both years). Compared to the CP, all drip irrigation treatments registered significantly higher haulm yields (8.4 t ha⁻¹ and 8.3 t ha⁻¹ in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, respectively) in drip irrigation. Similar to tuber yield, there was no significant interaction between the drip irrigation methods and the treatments. 3.1.8 Harvest index Data pertaining harvest index is presented in Table 7 . The harvest index was found to be non-significant across the drip irrigation method in both the years of the study. Among the treatments, a no significant difference was observed during both year 2022–2023 and 2023–2024. When comparing the CP with drip irrigation treatments, no statistically significant differences in harvest index were observed . Table 7 Effect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on tuber and haulm yield of potato during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 Treatments Details Tuber and Haulm yield (t ha − 1 ) and Harvest index (%) 2022 2023 Drip irrigation method (DI) Tuber yield Haulm yield Harvest index Tuber yield Haulm yield Harvest index SSDI : Subsurface drip irrigation 24.98 8.26 75.12 28.54 8.13 77.50 SDI : Surface drip irrigation 26.19 8.59 75.19 29.51 8.55 77.81 LSD(P < = 0.05) 0.51 0.30 NS 0.60 0.21 NS Treatments (T) T1 : 100% ET c + N100 + Mulch 28.74 9.21 75.73 31.12 9.14 77.30 T2 : 100% ET c + N100 + No mulch 26.03 8.45 75.49 29.77 8.79 77.20 T3 : 70% ET c + N100 + Mulch 26.77 8.53 75.84 29.8 8.81 77.18 T4 : 70% ET c + N100 + No mulch 23.87 7.95 75.02 27.37 8.1 77.16 T5 : 100% ET c + N70 + Mulch 27.82 9.18 75.19 30.47 9.07 77.06 T6 : 100% ET c + N70 + No mulch 24.83 8.10 75.40 27.47 8.15 77.12 T7 : 70% ET c + N70 + Mulch 25.88 8.37 75.56 29.01 8.6 77.13 T8 : 70% ET c + N70 + No mulch 22.74 7.57 75.02 25.54 7.62 77.02 LSD(P < = 0.05) 1.01 0.59 NS 1.21 0.43 NS CP vs. drip irrigation CP : Conventional Practice 23.9 7.9 75.16 26.9 7.7 76.70 Drip irrigation 25.6 8.4 75.27 29.0 8.3 77.75 LSD(P < = 0.05) 1.04 0.61 NS 1.24 0.44 NS DI × T NS Discussion The present study highlighted the significant influence of irrigation method, irrigation regime, nitrogen levels and mulching on the vegetative and physiological growth parameters of potato, including plant height, biomass, relative leaf water content (RLWC), SPAD and leaf area index (LAI). Among irrigation methods, surface drip irrigation (SDI) consistently outperformed subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI) during the early growth stages (notably at 30 DAS), as SDI ensures better moisture and nutrient availability near the surface, promoting early root activity and shoot elongation. In contrast, SSDI with emitters at 20 cm depth likely restricted vertical capillary rise of moisture, thereby reducing early water availability for shallow roots. These findings are corroborated by Patel and Rajput (2007), who observed superior early growth with shallower (10 cm) drip line placement. However, as the crop matured (60–80 DAS), root systems expanded and the differences in growth between SDI and SSDI narrowed Treatment-wise, T1 (100% ET c +100% N + Mulch) consistently recorded the highest values for plant height, biomass, RLWC, SPAD and LAI across both years and all stages. This was due to the synergistic effect of full irrigation eliminating water stress, optimal nitrogen promoting cellular activity and mulching conserving moisture and improving microclimate, which aligns with findings by Rolbiecki et al (2015) and Hou et al (2010). Interestingly, T5 (100% ET c + 70 %N + Mulch), despite receiving 30% less nitrogen, performed statistically on par with T1 across most parameters. This indicates that mulching enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, likely by stimulating microbial mineralization, improving nutrient retention and moderating soil temperature (Chawla et al 2009). T2 (100% ET c + N100 without mulch) also maintained high growth performance, particularly in plant height and SPAD, but lagged slightly behind T1 and T5, suggesting that full nitrogen and irrigation can sustain plant growth, though not as efficiently as when mulch is also applied. T3 (70% ET c + 100 % N + Mulch) and T7 (70% ET c + 70 % N + Mulch), despite deficit irrigation, recorded intermediate values for all parameters and were statistically similar to T2 in many cases. This suggests that mulching can partially offset the effects of water stress, helping maintain root-zone moisture and nutrient availability even under reduced irrigation an effect also observed by Kumari (2012). Conversely, T8 (70% ET c + 70 % N + No mulch) consistently recorded the lowest values across all growth parameters, indicating the compounded adverse effects of water and nitrogen deficiency along with the absence of mulch. This combination severely limited moisture retention, nitrogen availability and microclimatic stability, resulting in poor crop vigor and reduced physiological functioning. Similar results were reported by Elhani et al (2019), who found that combined water and nutrient stress drastically reduced growth and yield in potato. SPAD readings, reflecting leaf chlorophyll content and nitrogen status, did not differ significantly between SDI and SSDI, suggesting that both methods under controlled conditions ensured uniform nitrogen availability through drip fertigation. These results agree with Zhang (2019), who found that chlorophyll content under drip systems is less sensitive to emitter placement when nutrients are uniformly delivered. However, among treatments, T1 showed the highest SPAD, closely followed by T5, indicating that mulch played a role in sustaining nitrogen assimilation. Similar findings were also reported by Yu (2015), who highlighted the importance of mulch in enhancing nitrogen mineralization and reducing leaching. Periodic biomass accumulation followed similar trends, increasing with crop age and being highest in T1, followed by T5 and T3. SDI promoted greater biomass than SSDI due to better moisture distribution in the upper soil, a finding also supported by Mattar et al (2021). Notably, T3 (70% ET c + 100 % N + Mulch) produced biomass comparable to T2, emphasizing the capacity of mulch to mitigate stress effects. RLWC showed no significant difference between SDI and SSDI, indicating both systems effectively maintained leaf water status. However, T1 and T5 recorded the highest RLWC, again underscoring the cumulative benefit of full irrigation, nitrogen and mulch. LAI increased up to 80 DAS and declined afterward due to senescence. T1 consistently had the highest LAI (4.21 and 4.24), followed by T5 and T3, confirming that optimal inputs combined with mulching promote canopy development and delay senescence. In contrast, T8 recorded the lowest LAI due to compounded resource stress. These observations are in line with Hou et al (2010) and Mattar et al (2021), who reported that suboptimal water and nitrogen reduce leaf area and photosynthetic activity. Treatment T1 (100% ET c + 100% N + Mulch) consistently recorded the highest tuber weight, tuber count per plant and yield which was statistically at par with T5 (100% ET c 70% N + Mulch). This indicates that 30 per cent reduction in nitrogen did not compromise productivity, possibly due to the role of mulch in improving nitrogen availability and uptake through enhanced microbial activity, moderated soil temperature and reduced nitrogen leaching. This synergistic effect of mulching with reduced nitrogen is supported by Zhao et al (2016) and Kumar et al (2018). Treatments T2 (100% ET c + 100% N without mulch), T3 (70% ET c + 100% N + Mulch) and T7 (70% ET c + 70% N + Mulch) showed intermediate performance and were statistically similar. This suggests that either full irrigation without mulch (T2) or deficit irrigation with mulch (T3, T7) can produce comparable yields, highlighting the compensatory role of mulching under resource-limited conditions. Yang et al (2017) and Song et al (2013) also reported similar buffering effects of mulching in deficit irrigation and low-N environments. The lowest tuber weight, count and yield were recorded under T8 (70% ET c + 70% N without mulch). The compounded stress of reduced irrigation and nitrogen, without the ameliorating effect of mulch, led to significantly lower productivity. This emphasizes the importance of integrated input management, as also noted by Wang et al (2011) who observed that water stress without mulch reduced yield and quality in potatoes. In all yield parameters, all treatments outperformed the conventional Practice (CP), which had lower tuber weight, count and yield, highlighting the advantage of modern precision irrigation and nutrient management techniques over traditional practices. Haulm yield followed a similar trend to tuber yield, with T1 and T5 leading in both year, while T8 had the lowest values. The increase in haulm biomass under T1 and T5 indicates robust vegetative growth, which is positively correlated with tuber yield. Nitrogen uptake data revealed that SDI significantly enhanced N uptake in both tuber and haulm, likely due to better distribution and accessibility of nitrogen through fertigation. T1 again recorded the highest N uptake, followed closely by T5, indicating efficient use of applied nitrogen, especially in the presence of mulch. The findings are in close agreement with Sarkar et al (2009) who emphasized the importance of combining inorganic fertilizers with organic matter to enhance nutrient use efficiency and tuber grade quality. Conclusion The results of this study underscore the critical importance of integrated resource management in enhancing potato productivity and resource use efficiency. Drip irrigation systems, particularly when combined with mulching and fertigation, significantly improved the growth, yield, nitrogen uptake, and water productivity of potato. Among the treatments, T1 (100% ETc + 100% N + mulch) consistently recorded the highest performance across growth and yield parameters. However, treatments such as T5 (100% ETc + 70% N + mulch) and T3 (70% ETc + 100% N + mulch) produced statistically comparable results, indicating that up to 30% of nitrogen or irrigation water can be saved without yield penalty when mulching is practiced. This highlights the pivotal role of mulch in improving rhizospheric conditions, conserving soil moisture, and enhancing both nitrogen and water use efficiency. Surface drip irrigation (SDI) proved more effective for potato, a shallow-rooted crop, as it promoted higher plant height, biomass accumulation, relative leaf water content, SPAD values, and leaf area index compared to subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI). Mulching further improved soil properties, including bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, organic carbon, and available NPK, thereby creating favorable conditions for tuber growth and nutrient uptake. Overall, the findings establish that integrating drip irrigation, fertigation, and mulching not only optimizes input use but also ensures higher tuber yield, better resource efficiency, and improved soil health. Such precision agriculture practices provide a sustainable alternative to conventional potato cultivation, particularly under water- and nutrient-limited agroecosystems. Declarations There is no Deceleration of interest Funding and Conflicts of interests Funding No funding is provided References Bar-Yosef B (1999) Advances in fertigation. Adv Agron 65 : 1–77. Brar H S and Vashist K K (2020) Drip irrigation and nitrogen fertilization alter phenological development and yield of spring maize ( Zea mays L.) under semi-arid conditions. J Plant Nutri 43 : 1757-67. Cerny J, Balik J, Kulhnek M, Casova K and Nedved V (2010) Mineral and organic fertilization efficiency in long-term stationary experiments. Plant Soil Environ 56 : 28-36. Chawla A K, Singh K G and Singh A (2009) Effect of mulched and drip irrigation on soil hydrothermal regime and potato yield. J Res Punjab agric Univ 46 : 68-71 Elhani S, Haddadi M, Csákvári E, Zantar S, Hamim A, Villányi V, Douaik A and Bánfalvi Z (2019) Effects of partial root-zone drying and deficit irrigation on yield, irrigation water-use efficiency and some potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) quality traits under glasshouse conditions. Agric Water Manage 224 :105745. Hanson B and May D (2004) Effect of sub-surface drip irrigation on processing tomato yield, water table depth, soil salinity, and profitability. Agric Water Manag 68 : 1–17. Hou X Y, Wang F X, Han J J, Kang S Z and Feng S Y (2010b) Duration of plastic mulch for potato growth under drip irrigation in an arid region of Northwest China. Agric Fores Meteorol 150 : 115-21 Kumar S, Singh A, Jat R A and Parihar C M (2018) Effect of mulch and irrigation on productivity and water-use efficiency of baby corn ( Zea mays L.) under drip irrigation. Agric Water Manage 197 :43-52. Kumar V, Jat H S, Sharma P C, Gathala M K, Malik R K and Kamboj B R (2018) Can productivity and profitability be enhanced in intensively managed cereal systems while reducing the environmental footprint of production? Assessing sustainable intensification options in the breadbasket of India. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 252 : 132–147. Kumari S ( 2012) Influence of drip irrigation and mulch on leaf area maximization, water use efficiency and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). J Agric Sci 4 : 71. Lamont W J (2005) Plastics: Modifying the microclimate for the production of vegetable crops. Horttechnology 15 : 477- 81. Mahmoud A E, Fawzy M, Hosny G and Obaid A (2020) Equilibrium, kinetic, and diffusion models of chromium (VI) removal using Phragmites australis and Ziziphus spina-christi biomass. Int Environ Sci Technol 18 : 2125-36. Mattar M A, Zin El-Abedin T K, Al-Ghobari H M, Alazba A A and Elansary H O (2021) Effects of different surface and subsurface drip irrigation levels on growth traits, tuber yield, and irrigation water use efficiency of potato crop. Irrig Sci 39 :517-33. Meena M K, Singh A K, Prasad L K, Islam A, Meena M D, Dotaniya M, Singh H V and Yadav B L (2020) Impact of arsenic-polluted groundwater on soil and produce quality: A food chain study. Environ Monit Assess 192 : 1- 8 Minhas P S, Jalota S K, Arora V K, Jain A K, Vashist K K,Choudhary O P, Kukkal S S, and Vashist B B (2010) Managing water resources for ensuing sustainable agriculture: Situational analysis and options for Punjab . Ludhiana, India: Punjab Agricultural University, Research Bulletin No. 2/2010. Ni Z, Wang S and Wang Y (2016) Characteristics of bioavailable organic phosphorus in sediment and its contribution to lake eutrophication in China. Environ Pollut 219 : 537-44. Patel N, Rajput T B S and Patel R N (2017) Enhancing water productivity of maize with drip fertigation and mulching. Irrig Drain 66 :304-313. Pawar D D, Dingre S K, Shinde M G and Kaore S V (2013) Drip fertigation for higher crop productivity. MPKV Res Pub 99 : 3. Rolbiecki S, Rolbiecki R, Kuśmierek-Tomaszewska R, Dudek S, Żarski J and Rzekanowski C (2015) Requirements and effects of drip irrigation of mid-early potato on a very light soil in moderate climate. Fresenius Environ. Bull 24 : 3895-3902. Sarkar S, Singh S R and Singh A K (2007) The effect of mulching on soil temperature, moisture, weed infestation and yield of groundnut in northern India. Soil Tillage Res 93 :93-99. Song N, Wang F, Yang C and Yang K (2013) Coupling effects of water and nitrogen on yield, quality and water use of potato with drip irrigation under plastic film mulch. TCSAE 29: 98-105. Wang F X, Wu X X, Shock C C, Chu L Y, Gu X X and Xue X (2011) Effects of drip irrigation regimes on potato tuber yield and quality under plastic mulch in arid Northwestern China. Field Crops Res 122 :78-84. Yang K, Wang F, Shock C C, Kang S, Huo Z, Song N and Ma D (2017) Potato performance as influenced by the proportion of wetted soil volume and nitrogen under drip irrigation with plastic mulch. Agric water manage 179 : 260-70. Zhang F, Ju X, Kou C and Christie P (2006) Nitrogen balance and groundwater nitrate contamination: Comparison among three intensive cropping systems on the North China Plain. Environ Pollut 143 : 117 - 25. Zhang F, Wang Y, Sun H and Liu Y (2019) Drip irrigation impact on yield and water use of maize under different climatic conditions. Agric Water Manage 212 :421-430. Zhou L M, Jin S L, Liu C A, Xiong Y C, Si J T, Li X G, ... and Li F M (2016) Mulching enhances water and nitrogen use efficiency and yield of maize. Agron Sustain Dev 36 :27. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 30 Mar, 2026 Read the published version in Potato Research → Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 08 Sep, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 08 Sep, 2025 Editor invited by journal 08 Sep, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 08 Sep, 2025 First submitted to journal 04 Sep, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7502193","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":512079986,"identity":"b5129eb9-98eb-464c-9886-0f9361d2cc1c","order_by":0,"name":"Ankita Sharma","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8915-9871","institution":"Punjab Agricultural University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ankita","middleName":"","lastName":"Sharma","suffix":""},{"id":512079987,"identity":"9a4b72df-fe5b-4567-9190-0a790008adbb","order_by":1,"name":"MS Kahlon","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Punjab Agricultural University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"MS","middleName":"","lastName":"Kahlon","suffix":""},{"id":512079988,"identity":"78125156-59ad-4112-9bd8-53d7fd6c74f9","order_by":2,"name":"Madhu Dhingra","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Punjab Agricultural University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Madhu","middleName":"","lastName":"Dhingra","suffix":""},{"id":512079989,"identity":"6567271f-0366-4c7f-93cd-cab3b4df112a","order_by":3,"name":"Jeevanjot Dhaliwal","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Punjab Agricultural University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jeevanjot","middleName":"","lastName":"Dhaliwal","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-08-31 17:49:17","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7502193/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7502193/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-026-10029-8","type":"published","date":"2026-03-30T15:57:22+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":91366072,"identity":"c6dc4514-da94-4163-aab6-0f50be1697db","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-15 17:42:48","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":191073,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf area index of potato during 2022- 2023 (a) N 100% (b) N 70%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(SDI – subsurface drip, DI – surface drip, M- mulch, 100 – 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e 70 - 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7502193/v1/11c5014358cf0390e098b3de.png"},{"id":91367640,"identity":"a278dad4-99c4-4161-8814-b93d846d5d15","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-15 17:58:48","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":186477,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf area index of potato during 2023- 2024 (a) N 100% (b) N 70%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(SDI – subsurface drip, DI – surface drip, M- mulch, 100 – 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e 70 - 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7502193/v1/85c573a54d1c85e3390be28f.png"},{"id":106343975,"identity":"801e63e7-b8c2-4f71-ba97-5bbde4db3d77","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-07 16:11:20","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2009744,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7502193/v1/c069edd5-e26a-4598-84e5-ba7f8e2e1a5c.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Productivity and Resource Use Efficiency of Potato under Nitrogen Fertigation through Subsurface Drip Irrigation with Mulching","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eAgriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater worldwide, and water is equally essential for domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes (Mahmoud et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). However, water scarcity is becoming more acute in both developed and developing nations, a challenge further aggravated by declining groundwater reserves (Meena et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). In Punjab, this concern is particularly critical, as the estimated crop water requirement (4.53 mha-m) exceeds the available resources (3.26 mha-m) (Minhas et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). The dominance of the rice\u0026ndash;wheat system has led to stagnating productivity and severe resource degradation (Kumar et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), highlighting the urgent need for water-efficient technologies and alternative cropping options. Potato, being a high-value and input-intensive crop, offers an attractive diversification option, but its productivity is highly sensitive to irrigation and nutrient management. Improving water and nutrient use efficiency in potato requires the adoption of advanced irrigation methods. Drip irrigation, both surface (SDI) and subsurface (SSDI), has demonstrated superior water use efficiency (WUE) and yield advantages over conventional irrigation (Pawar et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e; Brar \u0026amp; Vashist, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Although SDI may pose challenges of labor and maintenance, it reduces evaporation, weed growth, and disease incidence by delivering water close to the root zone (Hanson \u0026amp; May, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e). SSDI further enhances water productivity and moderates soil temperature, making it particularly beneficial under water-scarce conditions. Alongside irrigation, nutrient management plays a critical role in potato production. Conventional nitrogen application is often inefficient, resulting in significant losses, particularly in light-textured soils. Drip fertigation, on the other hand, improves nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), synchronizes nutrient supply with crop demand, and enhances yield and tuber quality (Zhang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e; Bar-Yosef, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1999\u003c/span\u003e; Cerny et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Mulching provides an additional advantage by conserving soil moisture, suppressing weeds, and improving both WUE and NUE (Lamont, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Ni et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Straw mulch, in particular, is a cost-effective option that modifies the rhizospheric microenvironment, thereby favoring root activity and tuber bulking. Thus, the integration of subsurface drip irrigation, fertigation, and mulching presents a holistic and sustainable approach for improving productivity, water and nutrient efficiency, and resource conservation in potato cultivation, especially under conditions of water scarcity and climate variability.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe field study was conducted at the Research Farm of the Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (30\u0026deg; 56\u0026apos;N latitude, 75\u0026deg; 52\u0026apos;E longitude, 247 m above MSL) during 2022\u0026ndash;2024. The soil of the experimental site was loamy sand, slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.8), low in organic carbon (0.42%), and medium in available nitrogen (278.6 kg/ha), phosphorus (18.3 kg/ha), and potassium (270.2 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in randomised block design comprising two drip methods (subsurface drip and surface drip) and 8 treatment T1 (100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 100% Nitrogen\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch @ 6 t ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e ), T2 (100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 100% Nitrogen\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch), T3 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 100% Nitrogen\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch @ 6 t ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e),T4 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 100% Nitrogen\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch), T5 (100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 70% Nitrogen\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch @ 6 t ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e),T6 (100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 70% Nitrogen\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch), T7 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 70% Nitrogen\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch @ 6 t ha-\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e) and T8 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 70% Nitrogen\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch) replicated thrice across all three crops.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conventional practice (CP) was maintained for comparison\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Plant height\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePlant height was recorded by measuring five randomly selected plants in each plot from the base at the soil surface to the apex of the plant. For potato, measurements were taken at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS), as well as at harvest. The average height of the five plants was calculated to represent the mean plant height for each plot.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.2 Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) chlorophyll value\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eChlorophyll content in intact plant leaves was assessed using a Minolta SPAD 502 Chlorophyll Meter at 30, 60 and 80 days after sowing (DAS) for potato. The SPAD 502, developed by the Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) unit of Minolta Camera Co., Japan, is a compact, portable device designed for rapid and non-destructive chlorophyll estimation. For each observation, five plants were randomly selected from each treatment and readings were taken from the uppermost leaves. Care was taken to avoid positioning the midrib within the sensor area of the device. The final SPAD value was calculated as the average of five individual readings per treatment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.3 Leaf area index\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe Leaf Area Index (LAI) was measured using the Sunscan Canopy Analysis System \u0026ndash; SS1, a portable device designed to assess incident and transmitted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) within crop canopies. Measurements were taken for potato at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing (DAS) The Sunscan probe, which is 1 meter in length and connected to a mobile display unit, was positioned just above the soil surface near the crop rows. For each treatment, observations were made in three crop rows and the LAI was calculated as the average of three readings per treatment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.4 Number of tubers and fresh tuber weight per plant in potato\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFollowing the harvest, the total number of tubers per plant was counted for each treatment. For this purpose, five potato plants were randomly selected from each treatment. The average number of tubers per plant was then calculated. Additionally, the tubers from all the plants were weighed to determine the average tuber weight per plant for each treatment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.5 Periodic crop biomass of potato\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFor potato, the above ground biomass was measured by sun drying it and later oven dried at 75\u0026deg;C till constant weight was obtained. It was recorded as gram per plant periodically at 30, 60 DAS and at the harvest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.6 Relative leaf water content\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRelative Leaf Water Content (RLWC) was measured at 60 days after sowing (DAS), following the method proposed by Barrs and Weatherley (1962) and later refined by Esparza-Rivera \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e (2006). For each treatment, leaf samples were collected from three randomly selected plants per plot. From each plant, two discs were taken from the lower, middle and upper leaves, resulting in six discs per plant and a total of eighteen discs per plot. These discs were immediately placed in polypropylene vials and weighed to determine fresh weight (FW). After soaking the discs in de-ionized water for four hours, they were weighed again to obtain the turgid weight (TW). Finally, the discs were oven-dried at 60\u0026deg;C until a constant dry weight (DW) was recorded.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cdiv id=\"Equa\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equa\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e$$\\:\\text{R}\\text{L}\\text{W}\\text{C}\\:\\left(\\text{\\%}\\right)=\\:\\frac{\\text{F}\\text{W}-\\text{D}\\text{W}}{\\text{T}\\text{W}-\\text{D}\\text{W}}\\times\\:100$$\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWhere,\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFW\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Fresh weight of plant sample (g)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDW\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Dry weight of plant sample (g)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTW\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Turgor weight of plant sample (g)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.7 Tuber yield of potato\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn the case of potato, fresh tuber yield was recorded directly without drying. The recorded weights were then converted to yield hectare\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e (t ha⁻\u0026sup1;). Similarly, the total above-ground biomass from the same plot area was collected and expressed in tonnes hectare\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e for both potato and spring maize.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.8 Harvest Index (HI)\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe harvest index was calculated to represent the efficiency of the crop in allocating biomass to economic yield. For potato, it was determined as the ratio of tuber yield to total biomass yield (tuber\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;haulm). The harvest index was expressed as a percentage.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cdiv id=\"Equb\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equb\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e$$\\:\\text{H}\\text{a}\\text{r}\\text{v}\\text{e}\\text{s}\\text{t}\\:\\text{i}\\text{n}\\text{d}\\text{e}\\text{x}\\:\\left(\\text{H}\\text{I}\\right)=\\:\\frac{\\text{T}\\text{u}\\text{b}\\text{e}\\text{r}\\left(\\:\\text{t}\\:{\\text{h}\\text{a}}^{-1}\\right)}{\\text{T}\\text{u}\\text{b}\\text{e}\\text{r}\\:+\\text{H}\\text{a}\\text{u}\\text{l}\\text{m}\\left(\\:\\text{t}\\:{\\text{h}\\text{a}}^{-1}\\right)}\\:\\times\\:\\:100$$\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.9 BStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTo test the significance of treatments, the data of crops recorded in the field and laboratory on different aspects at various crop growth stages were statistically analyzed according to Cochran and Cox (1957). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out for soil and plant parameters using computer program CPSC-I (Cheema and Singh 1991). Randomized block design was used and comparisons were made at 0.05 level of significance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1 Crop growth parameter\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.1 Plant Height\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant height is an important growth parameter influenced by organic amendments, irrigation and nitrogen application. The data regarding the effects of the drip irrigation method, irrigation regimes, fertigation and mulch levels on plant height at 30, 60 and 80 days after sowing (DAS) are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. Among the different irrigation methods, plant height was significantly higher under SDI at 30 DAS during both years. In 2022, plant height was 6.9 per cent higher under SDI compared to SSDI, while in 2023, it was 5.7 per cent higher.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on plant height (cm) of potato during 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments Details\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant Height (cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2022\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2023\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation method (DI)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Subsurface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Surface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41.93\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTreatments (T)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT1\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT2\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT3\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT4\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT5\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT6\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT7\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT8\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP vs. drip irrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP\u003c/b\u003e: Conventional Practice\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.97\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDI \u0026times; T\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, the differences were non-significant at 60 and 80 DAS. Among the various treatments, the highest plant height at 30, 60 and 80 DAS during both years was recorded in treatment T1, which measured 35.00, 48.67 and 50.21 cm in 2022 and 37.48, 47.28 and 50.50 cm in 2023. This was statistically at par with T5. Treatments T2, T3 and T7 were also statistically similar, while the lowest plant height was observed in T8. When comparing CP vs drip irrigation treatments, plant height was significantly higher in the drip irrigation at 30, 60 and 80 DAS, respectively. Furthermore, there was no significant interaction between the drip irrigation method and treatments in influencing plant height.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.2 Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) chlorophyll value\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on SPAD of potato during 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments Details\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSPAD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2022\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2023\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation method (DI)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Subsurface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Surface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTreatments (T)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT1\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT2\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.93\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT3\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT4\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT5\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.90\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT6\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT7\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT8\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP vs. drip irrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP\u003c/b\u003e: Conventional Practice\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDI \u0026times; T\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe rate of photosynthesis is controlled by chlorophyll content in the leaves. The chlorophyll content can be estimated non-destructively and in situ using SPAD meter at any particular crop stage. The amount of chlorophyll is therefore important for the evaluation of healthy growth and higher yield. It also indirectly measures the nitrogen content in the leaves. The data pertaining to the effect of the drip irrigation method, irrigation regimes, fertigation and mulch levels on SPAD values at 30, 60 and 75 DAS are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. Among the different irrigation methods, there was no significant difference in SPAD values at any of the stages (30, 60 and 80 DAS) during both years. Across the various treatments, the highest SPAD values at all three growth stages were recorded in treatment \u003cb\u003eT1\u003c/b\u003e, with values of 38.44, 48.25 and 39.95 in 2022 and 39.05, 54.10 and 43.25 in 2023 at 30, 60 and 80 DAS, respectively. These values were statistically at par with those of treatment \u003cb\u003eT5\u003c/b\u003e. Treatments \u003cb\u003eT2\u003c/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eT3\u003c/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eT7\u003c/b\u003e showed statistically similar SPAD values, whereas the lowest SPAD readings were observed in T8, which recorded 25.57, 35.03 and 25.32 in 2022 and 26.1, 38.98 and 29.07 at the same intervals in 2023. When comparing the CP with the drip irrigation treatments, SPAD values were significantly higher in the drip irrigation, with values of 30.23, 33.31 and 29.27 in 2022 and 28.89, 44.0 and 33.12 in 2023 at 30, 60 and 80 DAS, respectively. Furthermore, the interaction between the drip irrigation method and the treatments had no significant effect on SPAD values.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.3 Periodic Biomass\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeriodic biomass is an important index of plant growth and development at various stages. The data related to periodic biomass is presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e. Biomass accumulation increased progressively with the advancement of plant age. The irrigation method, irrigation and nitrogen levels and mulch application significantly influenced periodic biomass in both years. Periodic biomass was significantly higher under surface drip irrigation (SDI) compared to subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI), with increases of 6.37, 3.10 and 9.53 per cent at 55 DAS, 75 DAS and harvest, respectively, in 2022 and 8.61, 4.32 and 6.59 per cent in 2023 at the corresponding stages.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong the various treatments, significantly higher periodic biomass of potato was recorded in T1, with values of 4.29, 7.29 and 9.20 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2022 and 4.70, 7.35 and 10.93 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2023 at 55 DAS, 75 DAS and harvest, respectively. T1 was statistically at par with T5, which recorded 4.18, 7.18 and 9.13 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2022 and 4.49, 6.89 and 10.24 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2023 at the same intervals. T3 recorded periodic biomass of 3.81, 6.94 and 8.09 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2022 and 3.94, 6.34 and 9.16 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2023, which was statistically at par with T2 and T7. The lowest biomass was recorded in T8, with values of 2.92, 5.92 and 7.40 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2022 and 2.61, 5.01 and 8.51 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2023 at 55 DAS, 75 DAS and harvest, respectively. When comparing the CP with the drip treatments, periodic biomass was significantly higher in the drip irrigation, with values of 3.63, 6.71 and 8.21 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2022 and 3.79, 6.13 and 9.40 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2023 at 55 DAS, 75 DAS and harvest, respectively. Furthermore, the interaction between the drip irrigation method and the treatments had no significant effect on periodic biomass.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on periodic biomass of potato during 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments Details\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeriodic biomass (t ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2022\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2023\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation method (DI)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e65 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e65 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75 DAS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Subsurface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.97\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Surface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTreatments (T)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT1\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.93\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT2\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT3\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT4\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT5\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT6\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.97\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT7\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.97\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT8\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP vs. drip irrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP\u003c/b\u003e: Conventional Practice\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDI \u0026times; T\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.4 Relative Leaf Water Content (RLWC)\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe data pertaining to Relative Leaf Water Content (RLWC (%) as affected by different irrigation systems, irrigation regimes, fertigation and mulch levels are presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e Relative Leaf Water Content was measured at 60 days after sowing (DAS). There were no significant differences in relative leaf water content among the different irrigation methods. Among the various treatments, the highest RLWC was recorded in treatment T1, with values of 77.22 and 78.45 per cent during the two years, which was statistically at par with T5. When comparing the CP with the drip treatments, no significant differences were observed. Furthermore, there was no significant interaction between the drip irrigation method and the treatments in influencing RLWC.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on RLWC of potato during 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments Details\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelative Leaf Water Content (RLWC) %\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2022\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2023\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation method (DI)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Subsurface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Surface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTreatments (T)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT1\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT2\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT3\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.93\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT4\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT5\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT6\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT7\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT8\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.14\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.61\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP vs. drip irrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP\u003c/b\u003e: Conventional Practice\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e73.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDI \u0026times; T\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.5 Leaf area index\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe data illustrating the impact of the drip irrigation method and levels, nitrogen levels, irrigation levels and mulching on the periodic leaf Area Index (LAI) is presented in Figs.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. Among the nitrogen treatments, the highest LAI was observed with the N100% during both years. In the year 2022\u0026ndash;2023, the highest LAI values were recorded under the DIM100 combined with N100%, showing values of 0.20, 2.04, 4.12, 4.21 and 1.95 at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after sowing (DAS). In 2023\u0026ndash;2024, the highest LAI was again recorded under DIM100 with N 100%, In contrast, the lowest LAI values were observed under DI70 and SDI70. A similar trend was evident under the N70% treatment in both year. In both years, LAI increased progressively up to 80 days after planting, followed by a gradual decline during the later stages of crop growth.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.6 Tuber weight and tuber count per plant\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eData pertaining to tuber weight and tuber count per plant during 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024 are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e. It was observed that among the irrigation methods, surface drip irrigation (SDI) recorded the highest tuber weight (56.77 g and 59.12 g) in both years. Across the treatments, significantly higher tuber weight was observed in treatment T1 (64.21 g and 64.67 g in 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024, respectively), which was statistically at par with treatment T5. treatment T3 was statistically at par with treatments T2 and T7. The lowest tuber weight was recorded under treatment T8 (46.55 g and 48.99 g in the respective years).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on tuber weight and tuber count per plant of potato during 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments Details\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTuber weight (g) and Tuber count per plant\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2022\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2023\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation method (DI)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTuber weight (g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTuber count plant\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTuber weight (g)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTuber count plant\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Subsurface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Surface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTreatments (T)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT1\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e64.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT2\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT3\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e59.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT4\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e52.69\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT5\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT6\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT7\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT8\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48.89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP vs. drip irrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP\u003c/b\u003e: Conventional Practice\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55.5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDI \u0026times; T\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCompared to the CP, all drip irrigation treatments recorded significantly higher tuber weights in both years. There was no significant interaction between the drip irrigation method and the treatment. Data related to tuber count per plant (Table\u0026nbsp;4.6) showed that significantly higher tuber counts per plant were recorded under SDI. Among the treatments, the highest tuber count per plant was observed in treatment T1 (9.23 and 10.13 in 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024, respectively), which was statistically at par with treatment T5. treatments T2, T3 and T7 were also statistically similar. When compared to the CP, all drip irrigation treatments recorded significantly higher tuber counts per plant in drip irrigation. Similar to tuber weight, there was no significant interaction between the drip irrigation method and the treatments.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.7 Tuber and Haulm yield\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe data presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e indicate that among the irrigation methods, surface drip irrigation (SDI) resulted in the highest tuber yield, recording 26.19 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; and 29.72 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; during 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024, respectively. Among the treatments, treatment T1 produced the maximum tuber yield (28.74 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; and 31.62 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in the respective years), which was statistically at par with treatment T5. treatment T3 showed statistical similarity with treatments T2 and T7. The lowest tuber yield was recorded under treatment T8 (20.74 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; and 25.54 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024, respectively). Compared to the CP, all drip irrigation treatments exhibited significantly higher tuber yields (25.6 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; and 29.2 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024, respectively). No significant interaction was observed between the irrigation methods and the treatments. Regarding haulm yield (Table\u0026nbsp;4.10), SDI again outperformed drip irrigation irrigation methods, resulting in significantly higher values. Among the treatments, treatment T1 recorded the highest haulm yield (9.21 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; and 10.93 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024, respectively), which was statistically comparable to treatment T5. treatments T2, T3 and T7 were found to be statistically at par. The lowest haulm yield was noted in treatment T8 (7.57 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; and 7.62 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in both years). Compared to the CP, all drip irrigation treatments registered significantly higher haulm yields (8.4 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; and 8.3 t ha⁻\u0026sup1; in 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024, respectively) in drip irrigation. Similar to tuber yield, there was no significant interaction between the drip irrigation methods and the treatments.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e3.1.8 Harvest index\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eData pertaining harvest index is presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e. The harvest index was found to be non-significant across the drip irrigation method in both the years of the study. Among the treatments, a no significant difference was observed during both year 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024. When comparing the CP with drip irrigation treatments, no statistically significant differences in harvest index were observed .\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffect of drip irrigation method, fertigation, mulching and irrigation regime on tuber and haulm yield of potato during 2022\u0026ndash;2023 and 2023\u0026ndash;2024\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatments Details\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTuber and Haulm yield (t ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) and Harvest index (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2022\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2023\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation method (DI)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTuber yield\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaulm yield\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvest index\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTuber yield\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaulm yield\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvest index\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Subsurface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSDI\u003c/b\u003e: Surface drip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTreatments (T)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT1\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT2\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT3\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT4\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.87\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.95\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT5\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT6\u003c/b\u003e: 100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT7\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eT8\u003c/b\u003e: 70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N70\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;No mulch\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.59\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP vs. drip irrigation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCP\u003c/b\u003e: Conventional Practice\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.7\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrip irrigation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLSD(P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.61\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDI \u0026times; T\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe present study highlighted the significant influence of irrigation method, irrigation regime, nitrogen levels and mulching on the vegetative and physiological growth parameters of potato, including plant height, biomass, relative leaf water content (RLWC), SPAD and leaf area index (LAI). Among irrigation methods, surface drip irrigation (SDI) consistently outperformed subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI) during the early growth stages (notably at 30 DAS), as SDI ensures better moisture and nutrient availability near the surface, promoting early root activity and shoot elongation. In contrast, SSDI with emitters at 20 cm depth likely restricted vertical capillary rise of moisture, thereby reducing early water availability for shallow roots. These findings are corroborated by Patel and Rajput (2007), who observed superior early growth with shallower (10 cm) drip line placement. However, as the crop matured (60–80 DAS), root systems expanded and the differences in growth between SDI and SSDI narrowed\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTreatment-wise, T1 (100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e +100% N + Mulch) consistently recorded the highest values for plant height, biomass, RLWC, SPAD and LAI across both years and all stages. This was due to the synergistic effect of full irrigation eliminating water stress, optimal nitrogen promoting cellular activity and mulching conserving moisture and improving microclimate, which aligns with findings by Rolbiecki \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2015) and Hou \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2010). Interestingly, T5 (100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 70 %N + Mulch), despite receiving 30% less nitrogen, performed statistically on par with T1 across most parameters. This indicates that mulching enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, likely by stimulating microbial mineralization, improving nutrient retention and moderating soil temperature (Chawla \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e2009). T2 (100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + N100 without mulch) also maintained high growth performance, particularly in plant height and SPAD, but lagged slightly behind T1 and T5, suggesting that full nitrogen and irrigation can sustain plant growth, though not as efficiently as when mulch is also applied. T3 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 100 % N + Mulch) and T7 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 70 % N + Mulch), despite deficit irrigation, recorded intermediate values for all parameters and were statistically similar to T2 in many cases. This suggests that mulching can partially offset the effects of water stress, helping maintain root-zone moisture and nutrient availability even under reduced irrigation an effect also observed by Kumari (2012). Conversely, T8 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 70 % N + No mulch) consistently recorded the lowest values across all growth parameters, indicating the compounded adverse effects of water and nitrogen deficiency along with the absence of mulch. This combination severely limited moisture retention, nitrogen availability and microclimatic stability, resulting in poor crop vigor and reduced physiological functioning. Similar results were reported by Elhani \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2019), who found that combined water and nutrient stress drastically reduced growth and yield in potato.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSPAD readings, reflecting leaf chlorophyll content and nitrogen status, did not differ significantly between SDI and SSDI, suggesting that both methods under controlled conditions ensured uniform nitrogen availability through drip fertigation. These results agree with Zhang (2019), who found that chlorophyll content under drip systems is less sensitive to emitter placement when nutrients are uniformly delivered. However, among treatments, T1 showed the highest SPAD, closely followed by T5, indicating that mulch played a role in sustaining nitrogen assimilation. Similar findings were also reported by Yu (2015), who highlighted the importance of mulch in enhancing nitrogen mineralization and reducing leaching. Periodic biomass accumulation followed similar trends, increasing with crop age and being highest in T1, followed by T5 and T3. SDI promoted greater biomass than SSDI due to better moisture distribution in the upper soil, a finding also supported by Mattar \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2021). Notably, T3 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 100 % N + Mulch) produced biomass comparable to T2, emphasizing the capacity of mulch to mitigate stress effects. RLWC showed no significant difference between SDI and SSDI, indicating both systems effectively maintained leaf water status. However, T1 and T5 recorded the highest RLWC, again underscoring the cumulative benefit of full irrigation, nitrogen and mulch. LAI increased up to 80 DAS and declined afterward due to senescence. T1 consistently had the highest LAI (4.21 and 4.24), followed by T5 and T3, confirming that optimal inputs combined with mulching promote canopy development and delay senescence. In contrast, T8 recorded the lowest LAI due to compounded resource stress. These observations are in line with Hou \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2010) and Mattar \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2021), who reported that suboptimal water and nitrogen reduce leaf area and photosynthetic activity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTreatment T1 (100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 100% N + Mulch) consistently recorded the highest tuber weight, tuber count per plant and yield which was statistically at par with T5 (100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e 70% N + Mulch). This indicates that 30 per cent reduction in nitrogen did not compromise productivity, possibly due to the role of mulch in improving nitrogen availability and uptake through enhanced microbial activity, moderated soil temperature and reduced nitrogen leaching. This synergistic effect of mulching with reduced nitrogen is supported by Zhao \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2016) and Kumar \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2018). Treatments T2 (100% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 100% N without mulch), T3 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 100% N + Mulch) and T7 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 70% N + Mulch) showed intermediate performance and were statistically similar. This suggests that either full irrigation without mulch (T2) or deficit irrigation with mulch (T3, T7) can produce comparable yields, highlighting the compensatory role of mulching under resource-limited conditions. Yang \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2017) and Song \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2013) also reported similar buffering effects of mulching in deficit irrigation and low-N environments. The lowest tuber weight, count and yield were recorded under T8 (70% ET\u003csub\u003ec\u003c/sub\u003e + 70% N without mulch). The compounded stress of reduced irrigation and nitrogen, without the ameliorating effect of mulch, led to significantly lower productivity. This emphasizes the importance of integrated input management, as also noted by Wang \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2011) who observed that water stress without mulch reduced yield and quality in potatoes. In all yield parameters, all treatments outperformed the conventional Practice (CP), which had lower tuber weight, count and yield, highlighting the advantage of modern precision irrigation and nutrient management techniques over traditional practices.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaulm yield followed a similar trend to tuber yield, with T1 and T5 leading in both year, while T8 had the lowest values. The increase in haulm biomass under T1 and T5 indicates robust vegetative growth, which is positively correlated with tuber yield. Nitrogen uptake data revealed that SDI significantly enhanced N uptake in both tuber and haulm, likely due to better distribution and accessibility of nitrogen through fertigation. T1 again recorded the highest N uptake, followed closely by T5, indicating efficient use of applied nitrogen, especially in the presence of mulch. The findings are in close agreement with Sarkar \u003cem\u003eet al \u003c/em\u003e(2009) who emphasized the importance of combining inorganic fertilizers with organic matter to enhance nutrient use efficiency and tuber grade quality.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe results of this study underscore the critical importance of integrated resource management in enhancing potato productivity and resource use efficiency. Drip irrigation systems, particularly when combined with mulching and fertigation, significantly improved the growth, yield, nitrogen uptake, and water productivity of potato. Among the treatments, T1 (100% ETc + 100% N + mulch) consistently recorded the highest performance across growth and yield parameters. However, treatments such as T5 (100% ETc + 70% N + mulch) and T3 (70% ETc + 100% N + mulch) produced statistically comparable results, indicating that up to 30% of nitrogen or irrigation water can be saved without yield penalty when mulching is practiced. This highlights the pivotal role of mulch in improving rhizospheric conditions, conserving soil moisture, and enhancing both nitrogen and water use efficiency. Surface drip irrigation (SDI) proved more effective for potato, a shallow-rooted crop, as it promoted higher plant height, biomass accumulation, relative leaf water content, SPAD values, and leaf area index compared to subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI). Mulching further improved soil properties, including bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, organic carbon, and available NPK, thereby creating favorable conditions for tuber growth and nutrient uptake. Overall, the findings establish that integrating drip irrigation, fertigation, and mulching not only optimizes input use but also ensures higher tuber yield, better resource efficiency, and improved soil health. Such precision agriculture practices provide a sustainable alternative to conventional potato cultivation, particularly under water- and nutrient-limited agroecosystems.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eThere is no Deceleration of interest\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunding and Conflicts of interests\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunding\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo funding is provided\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBar-Yosef B (1999) Advances in fertigation. \u003cem\u003eAdv Agron \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e65\u003c/strong\u003e: 1\u0026ndash;77.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrar H S and Vashist K K (2020) Drip irrigation and nitrogen fertilization alter phenological development and yield of spring maize (\u003cem\u003eZea mays \u003c/em\u003eL.) under semi-arid conditions. \u003cem\u003eJ Plant Nutri \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e43\u003c/strong\u003e: 1757-67. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCerny J, Balik J, Kulhnek M, Casova K and Nedved V (2010) Mineral and organic fertilization efficiency in long-term stationary experiments. \u003cem\u003ePlant Soil Environ \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e56\u003c/strong\u003e: 28-36.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChawla A K, Singh K G and Singh A (2009) Effect of mulched and drip irrigation on soil hydrothermal regime and potato yield. \u003cem\u003eJ Res Punjab agric Univ \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e46\u003c/strong\u003e: 68-71\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eElhani S, Haddadi M, Cs\u0026aacute;kv\u0026aacute;ri E, Zantar S, Hamim A, Vill\u0026aacute;nyi V, Douaik A and B\u0026aacute;nfalvi Z (2019) Effects of partial root-zone drying and deficit irrigation on yield, irrigation water-use efficiency and some potato (\u003cem\u003eSolanum tuberosum\u003c/em\u003e L.) quality traits under glasshouse conditions. \u003cem\u003eAgric Water Manage\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e224\u003c/strong\u003e:105745.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHanson B and May D (2004) Effect of sub-surface drip irrigation on processing tomato yield, water table depth, soil salinity, and profitability. \u003cem\u003eAgric Water Manag \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e68\u003c/strong\u003e: 1\u0026ndash;17.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHou X Y, Wang F X, Han J J, Kang S Z and Feng S Y (2010b) Duration of plastic mulch for potato growth under drip irrigation in an arid region of Northwest China. \u003cem\u003eAgric Fores Meteorol\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e150\u003c/strong\u003e: 115-21\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKumar S, Singh A, Jat R A and Parihar C M (2018) Effect of mulch and irrigation on productivity and water-use efficiency of baby corn (\u003cem\u003eZea mays\u003c/em\u003e L.) under drip irrigation. \u003cem\u003eAgric Water Manage\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e197\u003c/strong\u003e:43-52.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKumar V, Jat H S, Sharma P C, Gathala M K, Malik R K and Kamboj B R (2018) Can productivity and profitability be enhanced in intensively managed cereal systems while reducing the environmental footprint of production? 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The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design comprising two drip methods (subsurface drip and surface drip) and eight treatment combinations: T1 (100% ETc + 100% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha⁻¹), T2 (100% ETc + 100% Nitrogen + No mulch), T3 (70% ETc + 100% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha⁻¹), T4 (70% ETc + 100% Nitrogen + No mulch), T5 (100% ETc + 70% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha⁻¹), T6 (100% ETc + 70% Nitrogen + No mulch), T7 (70% ETc + 70% Nitrogen + Mulch @ 6 t ha⁻¹) and T8 (70% ETc + 70% Nitrogen + No mulch), with three replications, while the conventional practice (CP) was maintained for comparison. Results indicated that surface drip irrigation (SDI) performed better in potato as it significantly enhanced growth parameters such as plant height, biomass, relative leaf water content (RLWC), SPAD values, and leaf area index (LAI). Among the treatments, T1 consistently recorded the highest tuber yield, tuber count per plant, haulm yield, and water productivity, and was statistically at par with T5, indicating that a 30% saving in nitrogen was possible under mulching without yield penalty. Compared to conventional practice, all drip fertigation treatments significantly improved tuber yield, nitrogen uptake, and water productivity. Mulching played a crucial role in improving rhizospheric conditions, moisture retention, and nutrient use efficiency, particularly under reduced irrigation (70% ETc). Treatments T3 and T7 recorded significantly higher water productivity and were statistically comparable, highlighting the potential of deficit irrigation under mulching for sustainability.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Productivity and Resource Use Efficiency of Potato under Nitrogen Fertigation through Subsurface Drip Irrigation with Mulching","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-09-15 17:42:44","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7502193/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2025-09-08T17:45:32+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-09-08T17:40:07+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"Potato Research","date":"2025-09-08T07:50:48+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-09-08T07:16:39+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Potato Research","date":"2025-09-04T09:41:53+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"potato-research","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"potr","sideBox":"Learn more about [Potato Research](http://link.springer.com/journal/11540)","snPcode":"11540","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/potr/default2.aspx","title":"Potato Research","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"d0f2e8e1-265f-44d2-b67d-43ac02596a06","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 15th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-07T16:07:36+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-7502193","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-026-10029-8","journal":{"identity":"potato-research","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Potato Research"},"publishedOn":"2026-03-30 15:57:22","publishedOnDateReadable":"March 30th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-09-15 17:42:44","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s11540-026-10029-8","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-026-10029-8","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7502193","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7502193","identity":"rs-7502193","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}