The first experiment integrating different treatments was conducted at the research field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agriculture University, Gazipur, Bangladesh during the winter season, 2011-12. The study used two popular industrial potato varieties, namely Asterix and Courage. The soil was characterized as highly acidic (pH 5.3) at the experimental site ( Table 1 ). The foundation class of seeds of both varieties was used in the study. Factorial randomized completely block design with two factors (potato cultivars—Asterix and Courage) and ten treatments with three replications each were used.

Source: Soil tested by Soil Resource Development Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The second experiment was conducted at the Domar Foundation Seed Potato Production Farm, Nilphamari, and Farmer’s Field, Kashimpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh during the winter season, 2013-2014. The soil was characterized as highly acidic (pH 5.0) at Kashimpur, Gazipur, and slightly acidic (pH 6.04) at Domar Seed Potato Farm ( Table 1 ). The study used two popular industrial potato Varieties, Asterix and Courage. The foundation class of seeds of both varieties was used in the study. Factorial randomized completely block design, and split-split plot designs were used where potato variety and spray condition were assigned to the main plot, and treatment/practices were used to subplots with three replications.

First experiment:

T0: Control

T1 (Inorganic-1): Urea @ 350 kg/ha + TSP @ 220 kg/ha + MoP @ 264 kg/ha + Gyp @ 84 kg/ha

T2 (Inorganic-2): Urea @ 350 kg/ha + TSP @ 220 kg/ha + MoP @ 264 kg/ha + Gyp @ 84 kg/ha + ZnSO₄ @ 14 kg/ha

T3 (Organic-1): Northern organic fertilizer @ 100 kg/ha

T4 (Organic-2): Cowdung @ 1390 kg/ha + Oilcake @ 83 kg/ha

T5 (Combination-1): Northern organic fertilizer @ 50 kg/ha + Urea @ 175 kg/ha + TSP @ 110 kg/ha + MoP @ 132 kg/ha + Gyp @ 42 kg/ha

T6 (Combination-2): Cowdung @ 695 kg/ha + Oilcake @ 41.6 kg/ha + Urea @ 175 kg/ha + TSP @ 110 kg/ha + MoP @ 132 kg/ha + Gyp @ 42 kg/ha

T7 (BADC practice): Urea @ 300 kg/ha + TSP @ 200 kg/ha + MoP @ 300 kg/ha + Gyp @ 100 kg/ha + ZnSO₄ @ 10 kg/ha + MgSO₄ @ 100 kg/ha + Solobor @ 2.5 l/ha

T8 (Farmer’s practice-I, Bogra region): Urea @ 375 kg/ha + TSP @ 375 kg/ha + MoP @ 375 kg/ha + Gyp @ 37.5 kg/ha + ZnSO₄ @ 7.5 kg/ha + Borax @ 7.5 kg/ha

T9 (Farmer’s practice-II, Rajshahi region): Urea @ 225 kg/ha + TSP @ 375 kg/ha + MoP @ 375 kg/ha + Gyp @ 225 kg/ha

Second experiment:

Treatment-0: Absolute control.

Treatment-1 (BADC practice): Urea @ 300 kg/ha + TSP @ 200 kg/ha + MoP @ 300 kg/ha + Gypsum @ 100 kg/ha + Zinc sulphate @ 10 kg/ha + Magnesium sulphate @ 100 kg/ha + Solobor @ 2.5 l/ha

Treatment-2 (Advanced (Munshiganj) Farmer’s Practice): Urea @ 625 kg/ha + TSP @ 750 kg/ha + MoP @ 500 kg/ha + Gypsum @ 100 kg/ha + Zinc sulfate @ 10 kg/ha + Magnesium sulfate @ 100 kg/ha + Solobor @ 2.5 l/ha

Plot size was 3 m × 2 m each. The experimental field was plowed mechanically and leveled correctly for a good tilth. Half of the area and murate of potash (MoP) and the whole quantity of TSP were applied to the soil of the growing potato crops as a top dressing after 35 days of planting seed potatoes. Organic fertilizer (Northern), Cowdung, and Oilcake were applied at the time of final plowing.

In the second experiment, in T1 (BADC practice), Half of the Urea and Murate of Potash (MoP), the whole quantity of TSP, Gypsum, Zinc sulfate, and Magnesium sulfate were applied at the time of sowing of seed potato. The remaining 50% of Urea, MoP, and Solubor (as a source of boron) were applied to the soil of the growing potato crops as a top dressing after 35 days of seed potato planting. In T2 (Advanced farmer’s practice (Munshiganj), the whole quantity of Urea, TSP, MoP, Gypsum, Zinc sulfate, and Solubor was applied at the time of sowing of seed potato.

In the first experiment, the seed potato was kept in a defused light in the storeroom for about 72 hours for pre-sprouting. Then, the grade A (28 - 40 mm) seed tubers were cut into two pieces and grade B seed tubers were cut into 2 - 3 pieces and kept the cut tubers in a cool, shady place for 48 - 72 hours for healing or suberization. Then, the seed potatoes were planted in the experimental potato field. Row A row distance of 60 cm and tuber-to-tuber distance of 20 cm was maintained. Mulching and weeding were carried out after 20 days of planting. Just after mulching, the first irrigation was done. Another four times irrigation was given in the experimental field.

In the second experiment, six hundred forty kg of seed potato was used for T1 (BADC practice), whereas six hundred eighty-seven kg of seed potato was used in T2. Row A row distance of 60 cm and tuber-to-tuber distance of 20 cm was maintained in T1 (BADC practice) but row a row distance of 30 cm and tuber-to-tuber distance of 10 cm was maintained in T2. Straw was used as mulch in the T2 treatment. After 15 days of planting, the first weeding was done. Just after the wedding, the first irrigation was done. Three times weeding was done at BADC Horticulture Farm, Kashimpur, and eight times irrigation was done at Domar Potato Seed Production Farm.

To control fungal diseases, the fungicide (Companion @ 2 g/l of water) was applied six times, and the insecticide (Imitaf @ 0.5 ml/l of water) was applied six times per the spray schedule. Data was taken on days to tuberization, number of stem/hills at 60 days after sowing (DAS), plant height (60 DAS), number of tuber/hill and tuber weight/hill at harvest, etc, as per schedule. The potato plants were uprooted as branches were not left in the field. After hauling and pulling, the potato was kept in the field for ten days to harden the skin. The potato was harvested and taken to a calm, shady place where sorting, grading, and weighting were done. DASA-ELISA was used to detect PVY and PLRV following the method Clark and Adams [13] outlined with a few modifications.

The experimental data was analyzed using Statistix 10.0. software. Data were subjected to a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for mean comparison, and significant differences were calculated according to the Least Significance Difference test (LSD) and percentage of coefficient of variation (CV). Data were reported as mean value ± standard error (SE). Differences at p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Notably, the Asterix and Courage varieties exhibited an early tuberization 5 days earlier when the BADC practice (NPKS + ZnMgB) was applied ( Table 2 ). This is a significant finding, suggesting the potential for accelerated potato growth with this treatment. In contrast, the control groups of both varieties required a more extended period for tuberization, even with the use of inorganic and organic fertilizers.

Values with the same letters within row and column are not significantly (p < 0.05) different.

The highest number of stems per hill (8.96) was obtained in the treatment T2 of Asterix, which was statistically similar to the treatment T1 of Asterix, followed by 8.11 due to treatment T7, 8.07 in T5 and 8.04 in T3 of Asterix ( Table 2 ). The range of the stem per hill varied from 4.44 to 7.96 in the variety Courage, which was generally less than in the variety Asterix, which ranged from 5.99 to 8.96 stems per hill. The least number of stems per hill was found in control of variety Courage.

In the case of Asterix ( Table 3 ), the treatment T7 (BADC Practice: NPKS + BZnMg) resulted in the highest plant height (78.15 cm), followed by T2 (NPKS + Zn) and T8 (Farmer Practice 1: NPKS + Zn). The control group of Asterix had the least plant height (51.37 cm). For the Courage variety, the maximum plant height was 62.67 cm and 61.34 cm in T2 and T8, respectively, while the control group had the minimal plant height (36.44 cm).

In Asterix, the highest number of tubers per hill (15.30) was found in the treatment T7 (BADC practice), followed by T3, T2, and T1 ( Table 3 ). Interestingly, similar results were found in the variety Courage, where BADC practice also gave the maximum number of tubers per hill. There were a lower number of tubers found in control of both varieties.

Values with the same letters within row and column are not significantly (p < 0.05) different.

In Asterix ( Table 4 ), the maximum weight/hill of 777.78 g was observed in BADC Practices, followed by 675.92 g in Farmer Practice-2 (Rajshahi region) and 655.93 g in Farmer Practice-1 (Bogra region). Similar trends were noticed in the case of variety Courage, where BADC Practices gave the utmost weight of 618.52 g, followed by 594.44 g in Farmer Practice 2 ( Rajshahi region). The lowest tuber weight per hill of 390.74 g of Asterix and 370.37 g of Courage were found in control. Results indicate that based on their experience, farmers have learned or developed their practice along with BADC practice to have more tuber per hill.

In Asterix ( Table 4 ), the topmost tuber yield (34.93 tons/ha) was obtained where BADC practice was applied, followed by 27.49 tons/ha in the Farmer Practice-1(Bogra region). Similar trends of tuber yield were found in the case of variety Courage. The least amount of tuber yield of 17.77 tons/ha and 15.61 tons/ha were found in control of Asterix and Courage, respectively. Results indicate that BADC recommended inorganic and organic fertilizers as the best way to increase the potato production of our country’s industrial processing varieties—Asterix and Courage.

Values with the same letters within row and column are not significantly (p < 0.05) different.

In variety Asterix ( Figure 1 ), the highest (52.34% tuber weight) A-grade tuber was found in T8 (Farmer practice-1), followed by T4 (organic-1), T2 (inorganic-2), and the least amount of A-grade tuber was observed in T5 (combination-1). The maximum B-grade tuber was obtained in BADC practice, followed by T6 (combination-1), T9 (Farmer practice-2), and the minimal amount of B-grade tuber was found in T8 (Farmer practice-1). The utmost amount of over-grade tuber was noticed in BADC practice, followed by T3 (organic-1), T9 (Farmer practice-2), and the minimum amount of over-grade tuber was found in T8 (Farmer practice-1). The highest under-grade tuber was found in T1 (inorganic-1), followed by T0 (control), and lowest in T9 (Farmer practice-2).

In variety Courage ( Figure 2 ), the maximum undersized tuber was found in control, followed by T9 (Farmer practice-2), and the lowest was in BADC practice.

The highest A-graded tuber was obtained in T5 (combination-1), followed by T2, T1, and T6, and the least amount was obtained in the treatment T9 (Farmer practice-2). The most B-graded tuber was observed in T9 (Farmer practice-2), followed by BADC practice. The maximum overgraded tuber was found in BADC practice, and no overgraded tuber was controlled. Interestingly, 87% of tubers with A and B-graded belong to BADC practice, indicating better practices for potato production in Bangladesh.

In Kashimpur BADC Farm ( Table 5 ), the highest of 55.40 cm of Asterix and 46.33 cm of Courage were obtained in spray (insecticides and fungicides) plots, followed by 55.26 cm of Asterix in the BADC Practice, which was statistically identical to treatment T2. In the non-spray plot, the maximum plant height of 48.80 cm of Asterix was observed in the BADC Practice, followed by 46.07 cm of variety Courage due to treatment T2, where an Advanced Farmer practice was applied. Control plots gave statistically significantly lower plant height in spray and non-spray conditions. In Domar farm, similar trends of results were found, except the highest plant of 40.27 cm of variety Courage was obtained in the BADC practice ( Table 5 ).

Values with the same letters within rows and columns are not significantly (p < 0.05) different. Here, T1: BADC Practice, T2: Advanced Farmer’s (Munshigonj) Practice, T0: Control.

The maximum number of stems per hill was found in BADC practice in spray plots of both Asterix and Courage in Kashimpur and Domar farm ( Table 6 ), followed by Advanced farmer practices, and the minimal number of stems per hill was found in control plots. Non-spray plots had the lowest number of stems per hill at Kashimpur and BADC farms ( Table 6 ). This suggests that adopting BADC Practice and using spray plots can significantly increase the number of stems per hill, thereby enhancing crop yield.

Values with the same letters within rows and columns are not significantly (p < 0.05) different. Here, T1: BADC Practice, T2: Advanced Farmer’s (Munshigonj) Practice, T0: Control.

At the Kashimpur BADC Farm, the BADC Practice demonstrated its superiority in terms of foliage coverage. The maximum percentage foliage coverage of 91.67 and 88.35 of Asterix were found in the Advanced Farmer Practice for spray and non-spray plots, respectively ( Table 7 ). However, the BADC Practice gave the utmost percentage of foliage coverage in the variety Courage in spray and non-spray plots, highlighting its positive impact on crop growth. In general, spray plots had better foliage coverage than non-spray plots. In the Domar farm ( Table 7 ), there was no statistically significant difference in spray plots between BADC Practice and Advanced Farmer Practice. However, treatments T1 and T2 had significantly higher foliage coverage than control plots. The Advanced Farmer Practice gave better foliage coverage in non-spray plots than in the control.

Values with the same letters within rows and columns are not significantly (p < 0.05) different. Here, T1: BADC Practice, T2: Advanced Farmer’s (Munshigonj) Practice, T0: Control.

At the Kashimpur BADC Farm, the highest number of tubers per hill, which refers to the number of potatoes produced by a single plant, of 6.53 of Asterix and 6.07 of Courage were found in the BADC practice treatment in spray plots, a significant increase in crop yield. This was statistically significant compared to other treatments ( Table 8 ). Similar trends were also observed in the Domar Farm regarding the number of tubers per hill in spray plots ( Table 8 ). In the non-spray plot of the Kashimpur BADC Farm, the utmost number of tubers of 5.93 per hill of Courage was found in the Advanced Farmer Practice, followed by 5.60 of both Asterix and Courage in the BADC Practice, which was significant compared to control ( Table 8 ). Similar trends were observed in the Domar BADC Farm regarding the number of tubers per hill in non-spray plots where Advanced Farmer Practices performed better ( Table 8 ).

Values with the same letters within rows and columns are not significantly (p < 0.05) different. Here, T1: BADC Practice, T2: Advanced Farmer’s (Munshigonj) Practice, T0: Control.

At the Kashimpur BADC farm, the highest yield (kg) per plot of A-grade seed was achieved in the sprayed plot of Asterix in the Advanced Farmer Practices ( Table 9 ). Similarly, the maximum B grade of 8.99kg per plot of variety Courage was found in the BADC practice on the sprayed treatment, which was highly significant compared to the control ( Table 9 ). In the Domar BADC farm ( Table 9 ), the maximum A grade seed of 9.12 kg per plot and 8.57 kg per plot of variety Asterix were recorded in the sprayed plots of Advanced Farmer Practice and BADC practice treatments, respectively. These results underscore the effectiveness of the sprayed plots in both treatments. In the case of Courage, the highest 8.18 kg per plot was obtained in the sprayed plot of BADC practices, further emphasizing the positive impact of this practice. The maximum B grade seed of 11.23 kg per plot was found in the sprayed plot of BADC practice, followed by 9.42 and 9.3 kg per plot of non-sprayed and sprayed treatment, respectively, in Advanced Farmer Practices ( Table 10 ). The non-sprayed control had the lowest A and B-graded seed ( Table 9 , Table 10 ).

Values with the same letters within rows and columns are not significantly (p < 0.05) different. Here, T1: BADC Practice, T2: Advanced Farmer’s (Munshigonj) Practice, T0: Control.

Values with the same letters within rows and columns are not significantly (p < 0.05) different. Here, T1: BADC Practice, T2: Advanced Farmer’s (Munshigonj) Practice, T0: Control.

At the Kashimpur BADC farm, the maximum over-graded seed (1.86 kg/plot) was recorded in the variety Courage of sprayed plots in the Advanced Farmer Practices ( Table 11 ). Similarly, the maximum under-grade seed was found in the non-sprayed control treatment at Kashimpur BADC farm ( Table 11 ). We could not find any over-graded Asterix seed in the non-sprayed plots of Advanced Farmer Practices. Similarly, there was no over-graded seed of Asterix and of Courage non-sprayed plots of BADC practices and sprayed plot Advanced Farmer Practices at Domar BADC farm ( Table 12 ). Over-graded seeds of both potato varieties were absent in control treatment at Domar BADC farm. In the case of under-grade seed, non-sprayed plots gave a maximum of 1.28 kg /plot of Asterix in BADC practice, 1.12 kg per plot of Asterix in Advanced Farmer Practice, and 1.15 kg per plot of Courage in control ( Table 12 ).

Values with the same letters within rows and columns are not significantly (p < 0.05) different. Here, T1: BADC Practice, T2: Advanced Farmer’s (Munshigonj) Practice, T0: Control.

Values with the same letters within rows and columns are not significantly (p < 0.05) different. Here, T1: BADC Practice, T2: Advanced Farmer’s (Munshigonj) Practice, T0: Control.

The findings from the Kashimpur BADC farm, where the highest yield of 22.06 tons/ha and 21.96 tan/ha for Asterix and Courage, respectively, were found in sprayed plots of BADC practices, could potentially revolutionize our farming practices ( Table 13 ). The maximum yield of 23.26 tons/ha was recorded in the non-sprayed plot of variety Courage in the Advanced Farmer Practices, a result that could lead to significant improvements in our farming methods ( Table 13 ). The yield was remarkably high in the Domar BADC farm compared to the Kashimpur BADC farm, suggesting the possibility of identifying even more productive potato-growing regions in our country ( Table 13 ). In the Domar BADC farm, the utmost yield of 37.47 tons/ha of variety Asterix was found in sprayed plots of BADC practice, a result that could potentially boost potato yields across the country ( Table 13 ). In the non-sprayed plot ( Table 13 ), the higher yield (31.80 kg/ha) of variety Courage was found in Advanced Farmer Practice, followed by 28.22 kg/ha of Asterix in the same treatment (T2).

Values with the same letters within rows and columns are not significantly (p < 0.05) different. Here, T1: BADC Practice, T2: Advanced Farmer’s (Munshigonj) Practice, T0: Control.

We found that there was no viral disease incidence on spray plots of various Asterix, both under BADC practice and control. However, a 0.67% viral disease incidence was observed on spray plots of Asterix under Advanced Farmer’s practice ( Table 14 ). This suggests that the choice of farming practice can significantly impact disease incidence. In the non-spray plot, viral diseases of potato variety Asterix were consistently prevalent in all treatments, indicating the importance of disease control measures. Similarly, for Courage, our findings were intriguing. We could not detect any viral diseases on spray plots of advanced farmer practices, but the rest of the treatments showed viral disease prevalence in both spray and non-spray plots at 45 DAS. At 60 DAS, we found disease prevalence in all treatments, with a trend of higher disease incidence in non-spray plots compared to spray plots. The highest disease incidence (8.67%) was found in non-spray of control plants, and the lowest (0.33%) was in spray plots of BADC practice ( Table 14 ).

The result revealed that the cost of production per kg potato was Tk. 8.26 in BADC Practice, whereas Tk. 10.40 was in Advanced Farmer’s Practice ( Table 15 ). The net income from the BADC practice was Tk. 214665.00 per ha but Tk. 154948.00 per ha in Advanced Farmer’s practice. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of BADC practice was 2.18, whereas 1.72 for Advanced Farmer’s practice indicates BADC practice is the best-integrated practice for higher yield of potatoes and return of income ( Table 15 ).

Values with the same letters within rows and columns are not significantly (p < 0.05) different.