Effect of mulch and indigenous rhizobacteria isolate on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The research was conducted at the Center for Technology and Development of Agricultural Area (PAPTKP) Universitas Andalas, which was located at Jorong Galagah, Solok District from December 2016 to March 2017. The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction between indigenous rhizobacteria and plastic mulch, and the effect on growth and yield of potato. The method used was Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 2 factors (2×5) in 3 replications. The first factor was the use of plastic mulch (with and without plastic mulch) and the second factor was the indigenous rhizobacteria isolates (A1.1a1, A3.2a2, A3.2b1, BT1.2a2, and without rhizobacteria). The variables observed were morphological and physiological characteristics of indigenous rhizobacteria, plant height, tubers number, tuber weight per plant, and tuber diameter. The data were analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at a significant level of 5%. The results showed that there was no interaction between plastic mulch and indigenous rhizobacteria isolates on growth and yield of potato. The plastic mulch increased tuber weight and tuber diameter but the A3.2b1 isolate of indigenous rhizobacteria tended to increase plant height and increased significantly tuber weight of potato.