What were the main findings?

NPK fertilization at 240:120:150 kg/ha resulted in optimal plant growth compared to unfertilized plants.. The same NPK dosage significantly increased tuber number and yield.. The highest total tuber yield achieved was 32.79 t/ha with NPK @ 240:120:150 kg/ha.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2026 journal from Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.

What are the limitations?

Findings are specific to the acidic soil conditions of Assam, India, and the Kufri Khyati cultivar. Generalizability to other soil types or potato varieties may vary.

Short answer

Designers and engineers involved in agricultural technology or resource management should consider the specific nutrient requirements of crops and soil conditions when developing solutions for yield optimization and resource efficiency.

Field: Resource Management
Source: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2026)
Method: Field Experiment
Evidence: Strong effect

Strategic application of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) at specific ratios significantly enhances potato yield and quality, particularly in nutrient-limited acidic soil environments. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2026 study published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. Using Field experiment, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and engineers involved in agricultural technology or resource management should consider the specific nutrient requirements of crops and soil conditions when developing solutions for yield optimization and resource efficiency.

Study

Resource ManagementNew This WeekStrong effect

Optimized NPK fertilization boosts potato yield by 32.79 t/ha in acidic soils

Strategic application of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) at specific ratios significantly enhances potato yield and quality, particularly in nutrient-limited acidic soil environments.

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · 2026

Key Findings

01NPK fertilization at 240:120:150 kg/ha resulted in optimal plant growth compared to unfertilized plants.
02The same NPK dosage significantly increased tuber number and yield.
03The highest total tuber yield achieved was 32.79 t/ha with NPK @ 240:120:150 kg/ha.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing agricultural systems or advising on crop production, incorporate soil testing and crop-specific nutrient requirement data to recommend precise fertilizer application rates.

Project actions

01Consider the impact of soil type on nutrient availability when designing solutions for food production.
02Investigate how different ratios of essential nutrients affect plant growth and yield.

Method & Evidence

AimTo determine the optimal fertilizer (NPK) dosage for maximizing potato yield and quality in the acidic soils of Assam, India.

MethodField Experiment

ProcedureA randomized block design experiment was conducted over two years, evaluating 13 different fertilizer treatments, including an unfertilized control, with three replications. The Kufri Khyati potato cultivar was used, and parameters such as plant growth, tuber yield, nutrient uptake, tuber quality, and soil nutrient status were measured.

ContextAgricultural science, crop production, soil science

Variables

IVNPK fertilizer dosage and application rates.

DVPotato tuber yield, tuber number, plant growth parameters, nutrient uptake, tuber quality, soil nutrient status.

CVPotato cultivar (Kufri Khyati), soil type (acidic), experimental location (ICR farm, Assam Agricultural University), duration (two consecutive years).

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Conducted over two consecutive years, increasing the reliability of findings.
+Utilized a randomized block design for robust experimental control.

Limitations

The experiment was conducted in a specific geographic location and soil type, so the results might not apply everywhere. Different potato varieties might also respond differently.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability is supported by its execution over two years and the use of a randomized block design. Validity is strong for the specific context (acidic soils of Assam) but may be limited for broader generalization without further studies.

Think critically

How might the principles of optimized nutrient management be applied to other resource-intensive design projects beyond agriculture?

Design Principles

"Resource optimization through precise application based on specific environmental and crop needs."

Effective nutrient management is crucial for maximizing agricultural output and ensuring resource efficiency. Understanding optimal fertilizer application rates can lead to more sustainable and productive farming practices, reducing waste and improving crop quality.

What This Means for Your Design

Giving potatoes the right amount of fertilizer (specifically Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) can make them grow much better and produce more potatoes, especially in soils that are naturally less fertile.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of optimizing resource inputs for a design project, especially in agriculture or food production.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research by Begum et al. (2026) demonstrated that optimized NPK fertilization (240:120:150 kg/ha) significantly enhanced potato yield (up to 32.79 t/ha) and quality in acidic soils, highlighting the critical role of precise nutrient management in resource-limited agricultural contexts.

Source

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

Optimization of potato yield and quality through nutrient management in acidic soils of Assam, India

journal · 2026

View source

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about optimized npk fertilization boosts potato yield by 32.79 t/ha in acidic soils?: Designers and engineers involved in agricultural technology or resource management should consider the specific nutrient requirements of crops and soil conditions when developing solutions for yield optimization and resource efficiency. Evidence: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2026).
Why does "Optimized NPK fertilization boosts potato yield by 32.79 t/ha in acidic soils" matter for design?: Effective nutrient management is crucial for maximizing agricultural output and ensuring resource efficiency. Understanding optimal fertilizer application rates can lead to more sustainable and productive farming practices, reducing waste and improving crop quality.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers and engineers involved in agricultural technology or resource management should consider the specific nutrient requirements of crops and soil conditions when developing solutions for yield optimization and resource efficiency.
What were the main findings?: NPK fertilization at 240:120:150 kg/ha resulted in optimal plant growth compared to unfertilized plants.. The same NPK dosage significantly increased tuber number and yield.. The highest total tuber yield achieved was 32.79 t/ha with NPK @ 240:120:150 kg/ha.
What research method was used?: Field Experiment.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2026 journal from Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing agricultural systems or advising on crop production, incorporate soil testing and crop-specific nutrient requirement data to recommend precise fertilizer application rates.
What are the limitations?: Findings are specific to the acidic soil conditions of Assam, India, and the Kufri Khyati cultivar. Generalizability to other soil types or potato varieties may vary.