Growth and Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) by Drench or Foliar Spray of a Microbial Agent AGN-LTE

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil drench or foliar spray with a microbial agent, AGN-LTE, on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum). To accomplish this, soil was drenched with 500 mL of AGN-LTE solution (30 mL stock center dot L-1) or leaves were sprayed with 50 mL plus 450 mL water drench Soil drench (500 mL) and foliar application at 30 days after planting and two additional times at 15 day increments. The foliage and tuber weights were measured and tubers were graded by size group and counted. Soil drenching with AGN-LTE treatment led to a significant increase in the number of potato tubers and tuber weight. Top fresh weight per plant increased significantly by 50.9% following soil drenching. In addition, the number of plants and tuber weight increased by 49.9% and 32.5%, respectively, following drench treatment. No significant differences were observed between the control and foliar spray treatment. Marketable yield and numbers of small and extra-small tubers increased significantly in response to drench treatment relative to the control and foliar spray treatments. Our results demonstrated that drench treatment with AGN-LTE could be used to promote potato tuber growth and yield during potato production.