Vol. 9, Issue 10, Part J (2025)

This study examined the influence of integrated nutrient management (INM) on tuber yield, starch accumulation pathways, key enzyme activities and processing quality in the chipping cultivar Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Kufri Chipsona-3. Four nutrient regimes 100% of the recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) and three INM combinations with 75% RDF supplemented with farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost and biofertilisers were evaluated over two seasons using a randomized complete block design. INM treatments significantly improved tuber yield, dry matter, specific gravity and starch content compared with sole mineral fertilisation, with the most intensive INM schedule achieving the highest yield (39.2 t ha⁻¹) and starch content (18%). Enzyme assays conducted at key developmental stages revealed that INM enhanced sucrose synthase, ADP-glucose pyro phosphorylase (AGPase) and starch synthase activities during early and mid-bulking, indicating improved sucrose-to-starch conversion efficiency. Reducing sugars and chip colour scores declined significantly under INM, reflecting superior processing quality. Strong positive correlations were observed between AGPase activity and tuber starch content, while reducing sugars were negatively associated with specific gravity and frying performance. These findings collectively demonstrate that INM not only enhances nutrient availability and yield but also favourably modulates carbohydrate metabolism, thereby improving industrial quality parameters. The study concludes that partial substitution of mineral NPK with FYM, vermicompost and biofertilisers is a viable strategy to achieve higher starch accumulation, improved enzyme regulation and enhanced processing suitability in potatoes. The integrative approach highlights the potential of INM to advance sustainable intensification while meeting the stringent requirements of the potato processing industry.